So… you’re learning Spanish. But no one around you is. Not your partner, not your friends, not even your dog (although you’ve definitely tried saying ¡siéntate! a few times just to see). It can feel like you’re on a solo mission to fluency while everyone else is off binge-watching Netflix in English. The good news? You’re not alone in being alone—and there are ways to stay motivated and actually enjoy the process (yes, even if your only Spanish conversation today was with Duolingo).
1. Make it part of your routine (even if no one else gets it)
You don’t need a language exchange buddy to stay consistent—though that’s a lovely bonus. What you do need is to make Spanish part of your day in ways that don’t feel like hard work.
Put post-its on your kettle. Listen to a Spanish podcast on your walk. Narrate your morning in Spanish like you’re on a cooking show (“Ahora, preparo el desayuno…”). Small, daily habits keep the momentum going—even when no one else is doing it with you.
2. Find your people (they’re out there, promise)
Just because the people around you don’t speak Spanish doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. There are thousands of learners out there who’d love to geek out about preterite vs. imperfect with you.
Join a Spanish class (online or local), hop into a Facebook group, or follow Spanish learners on Instagram or YouTube. Honestly, just having one person to text a “Mira, I just used the subjunctive!” to can make all the difference.
3. Track your wins (they’re sneaky little things)
Progress in language learning is sneaky. One minute you’re staring blankly at a menu, the next you’re ordering una cerveza y unas patatas bravas like an absolute legend.
Write down your wins. Did you understand a full sentence on a Spanish TV show? Did you say “gracias” instead of “thank you” at the shop by accident? Celebrate it! These little wins are your brain rewiring itself. How cool is that?
So, if you’re the only one in your world learning Spanish—keep going. You’re doing something amazing. One día at a time.
And if you ever need a cheerleader… well, you’ve got me. 💪🇪🇸
