Your description is one of the best analogies I’ve heard. I can jump into a foreign country and learn the language through immersion, and I’ll pick things up and learn by trial and error, slowly improving as people point out my flaws. Eventually, I’ll speak the language fluently.

Music is a rewarding hobby. I wish more people played and wrote music instead of things way more popular like video games. I bought a guitar for a nephew once, since I started playing when I was his age (10). Ultimately, I think playing on his iPad or Nintendo DS was just easier than learning something like electric guitar which requires patience and some pain for a beginner.

I picked up guitar a little later than you, but what turned it from passing amusement (took some basic lessons) to lifestyle (still play almost two decades later) for me was forming a band with a friend who happened to be decent at songwriting and figuring out accompaniments to his songs. Much like with other things, a good social experience significantly improves the overall experience.

I still write music solo, but I personally don't find it nearly as rewarding without a partner to bounce ideas off of and give/get ideas/critique.