6 years ago I was…

• working a dead-end job.

• living in a suffocating town.

• drinking every weekend to fill the void.

But learning a language gave me 3 unexpected gifts that turned my life around… ⬇️

#langtwt

“Remove people holding you back in life”, but what if that person is you?

At my old job I used to celebrate surviving another hellish week by partying all weekend. Then on Sunday nights I dreaded the start of another.

My life was spiralling down the drain and I needed out…

I started learning Spanish in hope of an escape.

The plan was to retire in Spain when I was 60. The initial motive was to live in a beautiful country with ideal weather, build relationships with locals and most importantly, be at peace.

But it wasn’t going to be easy…

Gift #1 - belief in myself

Back in high school I had a terrible time with languages.

I studied French, German and yours truly was a constant headache for the teachers.

I believed the "I'm bad at languages" excuse and didn’t even try for 5 years.

But this time was different...

Now I didn't believe the bullsh*t excuse I was telling myself.

I devised a study plan that would break the shackles of my self-doubt. As soon as I began to see progress… I was hooked!

I was holding myself back all along. And I took this new belief into other parts of my life.

Gift #2 - A purpose

In 2016, my drive was at an all time low.

I used to wonder “what's the difference between enthusiastic, energetic people, and me, someone who didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning?”

Then it hit me... I didn't have a REASON to get out of bed.

But one day I thought that reason could be learning Spanish.

I took the gamble and it more than payed off.

A new language gave me direction, a long-term project to call my own and the optimism I used to envy from other people.

I was finally excited for what the future held…

Gift #3 - A future

Fast forward to 2022 and my retirement plan didn't exactly work out as expected... it turned out even better!

Now I've lived in Spain since 2018 and my life is unrecognisable to the one before…

• I speak Spanish every day despite once believing languages weren’t for me

• I changed my career and now have a job I love

• I have a life-time project of learning ahead of me

  A new language is a potent seed to plant in your life. Water it and you’ll soon enjoy the fruits.

TL;DR

• Learning a language makes you realise what you’re capable of. (Self-belief)

• Languages quickly turn into your new passion project. (Purpose)

• Languages open doors in your life to places you wouldn’t believe. (Future)