In this video I sit down for a really sincere talk about language and social anxiety—especially that very specific feeling of “I know the words, but my body panics.” I share what came up for me during my recent trip to Albania, because traveling is such a real-life language test: you’re tired, you’re in new places, and suddenly even simple interactions can feel huge. My main point is that anxiety doesn’t mean you’re “bad at languages” or that you’re not progressing—it just means your nervous system is doing its thing, and we need realistic strategies (not miracle methods) to work with it. I also chat about Albania itself because it genuinely surprised me in the best way. I recommend places like Ksamil (gorgeous beaches but more touristy and pricey), Sarandë (fun nightlife, great food, lots of people speaking Italian/English, and it’s developing fast), Gjirokastër (one of my favorites—UNESCO, old bazaar, castle, and a lovely moment chatting with a restaurant owner), and Butrint (another UNESCO site if you like Greek/Roman history). If you’re dealing with language anxiety, I hope this video makes you feel less alone and more confident taking small, doable steps in real conversations.