In my experience, I've noticed that it can be surprisingly challenging for individuals with French heritage or family in France to learn the language. While having a connection to the language serves as motivation, it also introduces an external pressure, making the endeavor more emotionally charged. There's a sense of duty for them—not only to learn French but to perform, given their heritage. It is brave to humbly start, from never having heard French to setting out to speak it as well as possible. Though sometimes, this ambition can take over. It can push for seeking control and fearing failures or negative (yet constructive) feedback. If you find yourself in this position, perhaps having visited France and feeling dissatisfied with your language skills, or if you're preparing for such an experience, know that the road ahead may be challenging. Progress will come with patience, without overthinking the process. Meaning, letting yourself make those mistakes and focusing on the feedback from others and not yourself. A mistake is just one moment of inadvertence, an instance where you were certain of one thing, one word, a pronunciation and you were wrong. Focus on what comes right after and don't cling on the temporary shame/disappointment (more like minimize it). For instance, one of my top students would always swear when he didn't find his words or make a mistake, it would take him out of it and he ended up making the same mistake again. He was focussing on what he had done wrong instead of how he could not make the mistake again. At the end of the day, you have no control over what you end up remembering or not, and you have so little control over your spontaneous pronunciation. You can control what you do now to impact how you will eventually speak and sound in French. But beating yourself up is neither necessary nor productive! Find contentment! After all, imagine how proud your one year ago self would be to do what you do!