I dropped Spanish which was the only language offered during my high school years. I regret it, and now I’m embarrassed to start learning as a uni-aged guy. I want to learn Mandarin because then I would know English and Mandarin which would cover like 50% of the populations speaking abilities.
Basically I just feel like a dumb American and being a Marxist I need to know another language.
Duolingo, drops, daily chinese, and skritter (apps) are your new best friends!! Also, I haven’t had a chance to crack into it the way i’d like to yet, but if you go on anna’s archive (use a vpn please!) there’s a book on there you can download for free titled, “learn to speak chinese: beginning mandarin chinese for native english speakers” that is very thorough & very well written!!
Saying all of this because I (22 y/o, she/her) honestly used to think I was too dumb to learn another language, but my boyfriend encouraged me to download duolingo & just give it a try. So, I gave spanish a good go & got over that mental roadblock, switched to french, & et maintenant, je sais beaucoup de français !! (and now, I know a lot of french!!) Duolingo does a wonderful job gameifying learning a language. You could also take an online course through UDemy.com if you wanted (only purchase a course when they’re doing a sale though; don’t pay $60-$200 for a course when you could get it for $15!)
Best of luck friend. I seriously suggest just starting by downloading Duolingo. Anyone can learn a language at any point in their lives!! It just requires some practice. Good luck! You got this!! :))