Photo: lookstudio

FINDING JOY 

I have to admit I was getting fed up with my French class.  

Don't get me wrong, I love taking French.  I began studying in 2013 with a very good, very strict French woman who taught at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington, Kentucky.  Luckily, I learned the basics (present, past, and imperfect verb tenses, a decent amount of vocabulary, and basic grammar rules) before she moved to Denver. 

Another teacher stepped in to teach, and I've taken classes with her for over eight years.  One would think I'd be fluent by now, but it doesn't work that way.  Living in France is the best way to pick up the language.  Some people choose to go on retreat workshops for several weeks.  These options don't work for me.  

I stuck with class and learned more grammar and vocabulary.  However, during the 2025 summer session, I discovered something.  The class wasn't meeting my needs.  Believing the fall class might be better, I registered for the French again.  After taking three classes, it hit me again.  My gut was telling me this class wasn't right for me.  I didn't want to memorize French vocab words.  It's odd it took so long to realize this, but when it did, it resonated with me.  I wanted to speak more fluently, understand the spoken word better, and translate correctly.  None of this was happening for me.

It wasn't until I had the opportunity to take an online survey about Carnegie Center classes that I realized I wasn't happy.  And I hadn't been happy for a long time.  Our class spent too much time chatting at the beginning of class.  While speaking in French is good practice, people exceeded the five minute limit and this took up valuable time in which we could have meaningful conversations as a class or review much neglected grammar.  

I had to take action.  

I decided to drop this class even though the semester had been paid for.  The class wasn't bringing me joy.  Think about the word joy.  That happy giddy feeling that brings a smile to your face, makes you feel so good that you glow.  It is a lightness that feels like freedom.  I missed feeling this way in class.

I'm 70 years old.  Life is too short to be unhappy.  I want more joy in my life.  When I made the painful decision to drop the class, I struggled with this decision.  I could be burning bridges.  That might be the case and I'll have to live with that, but I feel immensely better, lighter, and more joyful.  

I needed some validation, so I discussed it with my daughter and husband.  They understood my position and supported me.  I even asked IA and it responded:  

If the task is truly optional:

• Avoid the task: 

  The simplest solution is to simply not do something you don't enjoy, especially if it's not a requirement. 
• Make the choice to not do it: 

  Acknowledge that you have the choice and make the decision to prioritize your well-being by disengaging from the unenjoyable activity. 

Deciding to quit class was not easy.  Over the years, I've made good friends with the other students.  But the class wasn't living up to my expectations.  

Putting a pause on French class didn't mean I'd give up learning French.  There are plenty of websites to learn French such as:  https://www.youtube.com/c/Commeunefrancaise, French Lawless, and C'est pas sorcie . I can listen to fairytales, read French books, and watch podcasts, travel vlogs and cooking shows.  I can even review my grammar books or return to class if the teaching method changes. 

My instructor and classmates may not understand why I've left class.  But my family supports me and understands my decision.  I want to do things that make me happy.  I want to pursue my interests, creativity, and learning.  Time is precious.  I want more joy in my life.

À la prochaine!