Will I Stop Learning Japanese?

Now coming up to my 3rd week staying in Japan, I'm questioning whether or not I continue to study the language back in Australia.

I'm leaning towards dropping it once I return. But also one of my other hobbies, playing the piano.

Here's why...

Too Much On My Plate

Here are all the hobbies/interests I've been working on:

• Video editing
• Writing
• Project management
• Piano
• Japanese
• Fitness

I must come to the fact that I am not a polymath.

Scattered Attention

These interests are scattered. I can bundle video editing, writing and project management together as it involves work.

Piano is a musical discipline. Japanese is a linguistic discipline. Fitness is a physical discipline.

When I do return to Australia, I can have confidence what needs working on.

Less time thinking about Japanese and piano playing means more bandwidth for the skills that matter more.

It's not to say though that my background in Japanese and piano hasn't helped.

But what I am saying that is, if I have goals like

• Becoming fluent in Japanese
• Playing Arabesque No.1

There has to be a level of dedication and focus put towards that pursuit.

The reality is, someone who is dedicating hours to Japanese study will become fluent. Someone who is dedicating consistent hours to improving their piano playing will eventually be able to play Arabesque No.1.

And, it won't be me.

But what I guarantee with myself is if I continue to,

• Video edit everyday
• Write something everyday
• Study project management

I'm setting myself up with skills that will help create value for other people and secure my financial position.

Giving Up Japanese

Cultural Disconnect

Don't get me wrong, I love the Japanese culture in the way that everyone's not a dickhead and you feel safe walking down the road.

However, it makes me appreciate with the Western culture.

With the social niceties and reading the room disallows for deep connection with the Japanese people.

Also, partly the language barrier, too.

What I see common is people sleeping all the time. If work is going to be an important bedrock I build my life upon, I do not want to do it in a culture that will punish me being an individual.

Again, no criticism to Japan and wanting it to be more Western.

I probably thank God I do not have rose-tinted glasses when it comes to being in Japan. Having this experience by myself allows me to see for what Japan really is.

And thinking about the schooling system. The hours of gruelling study, to then go back home to study again.

The pressure of getting into university as well.

I don't want to put my kid through that. And having gone through the Australian schooling system, it's not that bad compared to Asia.

The Only Way I See Living Here

Getting a remote job.

But even then, it'd be more like a work vacation than anything.

The human part of me likes to establish a home base. A family. I'd rather do it of the home country that I'm a citizen of.

Giving Up Piano

I Don't Finish The Songs I Start

There are less than 10 songs that I can play from start to finish.

I prioritise my favourite sounding part of a song over the whole song. For example, I'll learn the intro of Zenzenzense by RADWIMPS, but will not continue the verses or chorus.

And I'm cool with that.

Not Enough Dedication

It's the same reason I don't learn golf. I understand the amount of hours of dedicate practice needed to get better.

"I can play piano. Just recreationally."

Don't Be Sad I'm Giving Up On My Dreams

Piano and Japanese are more like hobbies.

The $1500 acoustic piano I have is the family heirloom. Something I can go to play.

(Usually early Saturday mornings)

If it was possible to inherit the virtuoso ability to play piano and the native level of Japanese without effort, I would.

But it does.

People think of what it takes— thinking it's an addition equation.

In reality, it's subtraction.

What am I willing to give up in order to gain this other thing?

To increase my ability to provide value, that's giving up serious effort towards getting better at piano and Japanese.

Perhaps when my money is up, I can get my funny up and revisit serious time and effort of these old hobbies of mine.

BONUS: Will I Forget My Japanese?

I might watch the odd anime here or there without using English subtitles. I'll still be exposed to the language to an extent. My favourite genre of music is J-Pop after all.

Other than that, I'm not too sure.

Ask me that question again in five years. Present me with a hiragana, katakana or kanji and ask for me to recall it. And I'll see...

Sources

Here are the inspirations for this article.

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