Just thought I'd share my experience. I flew through learning my hiragana and katakana pretty quickly and began working through a 1500 word beginner Anki deck (following the Moe way). I learn 10 words a day so have "learned" about 250 over the last month (I've missed a handful of days, but I'm overall pretty consistent). As I was doing my Anki before bed last night, it started to hit me that I have finally reached my first hump where things are starting to get difficult. Up until now, the sentences have largely consisted of words I had previously learned, so I could usually figure out the word even if I forgot the meaning as long as I could recall the pronunciation. The last 30-40 words have been beating me though. I'm not too discouraged- one of the first things you learn in the Moe Way is being okay with sucking, but this is the first time I've truly felt my wheels spinning in place.
The only thing I think I'm doing "wrong" right now is my immersion. Realistically, I know I should be engaging with the language for probably 2 hours a day, but I just don't have that kind of time. The wife keeps me busy so I try to sneak in Japanese podcasts where I can (very simple ones right now), but that's mostly passive listening which isn't the most beneficial. I'm also trying to watch through Shirokuma Cafe and playing the Japanese version of Animal Crossing New Leaf when I find moments of free time, but those are few and far between.
I am also behind on my grammar. Again, these are lessons that require my full attention and I would like to do them daily, but trying to get the 30 uninterrupted minutes for my Anki lesson is hard enough most days.
Anyway, there's not really much of a point to this post other than to share my experience. Definitely a little discouraged but not to the point of quitting because I know the struggle is what leads to results.
by Secure_B00t