I should have stopped being such a bitch and learned it years ago. It should have been the first thing I did after high school. I should have started during covid. I've had multiple opportunities come my way on the condition that I speak Japanese. I haven't been able to realize a single one, and now I'm playing catch-up. I know that the anxiety, pressure, and need to pass tests is only hampering my progress. It's painful to balance studying towards an exam and studying things you like. I wish I had the last five years back.

Please, anon. Start now. Don't end up like me. While you have the time, the freedom to learn through media, to work through hundreds of hours of entertaining reading material, to browse japanese-language web spheres, just do it. Get some JP subs, a basic vocab deck, mining tools, a kanji practice book, spend the small amount of money for the Genki text and workbook and enjoy the world that opens up for you