What made you stop (or continue) learning Japanese?

Hi everyone! I’m currently working on my undergraduate thesis, and I’m researching how people experience learning Japanese, especially in the early stages.

I’ve noticed that many learners start with a lot of motivation (anime, manga, travel, etc.), but a significant number either stop studying or feel stuck after a while. I’m trying to understand why that happens beyond just “it’s difficult.”

I’m particularly interested in experiences like:

• Did you ever feel lost or unsure of how to continue learning?
• Did you rely on apps (Duolingo, etc.) and feel they weren’t enough?
• Was there a moment where you felt like you weren’t “made for it”?
• If you stopped learning Japanese, what led to that decision?
• What's your opinion regarding the complexity of kanji?
• How did that affect your interest in the language or culture afterward?

I’m not looking for perfect answers; personal experiences, frustrations, or even small moments are really valuable.

Also, if you didn’t quit, what helped you continue?

Thanks a lot to anyone willing to share 🙏