Addendum

I have been self-studying Japanese since December 2019; in that time, I've compiled a rather large list of potentially useful resources to apply to my daily routine. Oftentimes when I tell friends and colleagues about my hobby, most have either previously studied or have an interest in studying Japanese. So, to make their lives easier, I've compiled a formal list of resources to share with everyone. This list isn't all-inclusive (there exists array of resources I have yet to discover) but it does contain items that I have personally found useful or potentially helpful to others.

Japanese is difficult. At least it is for me, working a full time job; but I think the most important thing is to set a schedule and remain consistent. Find a few resources that you find enjoyable and keep at them. The more you incorporate the language into your daily routine, the easier it becomes to learn.

Even outside of explicit learning: setting your phone to Japanese, or watching Japanese shows with Japanese subtitles remains the best way to learn quickly (that's how most individuals learn English, after all). The coupling of bottom-up learning (via fundamentals like kanji and grammar) with top-down learning (listening to regular conversations and shows) is proven to be the easiest and probably the most fulfilling way to learn.

I am always on the lookout for new and exciting resources to help with studying Japanese. If you have a resource you think is useful and is not on this list, please reach out and share your experiences!