The goal was the trap. Stopped chasing "fluent" and started having fun

For a year I tracked everything — words known, hours logged, my imaginary fluency date. Made the whole thing feel like a deadline I was failing. Then I dropped the finish line. Now I just chase the next good show, the next conversation I half-follow. Funny thing: I improved faster the month I stopped measuring. The reps are the reward. The level-up is a side effect.