To maintain multiple languages over time, you need to accept that active use is the only reliable method, and that some languages will temporarily slip when you focus on others. The mental struggle comes from trying to keep all languages at the same level, which is unrealistic for most people. Instead, prioritize based on your current needs and rotate your attention deliberately.
Start by assessing your real-life usage. You speak German at work daily, so that is likely solid. Italian with your partner is now your primary active language, which explains its rapid improvement. English and French, especially the latter, may need more intentional maintenance because you use them less. The key is to create low-effort, consistent exposure for the languages you are not actively practicing. For French, try listening to a podcast or watching a show for 15 minutes a day, or reading a news article aloud. This keeps the neural pathways active without demanding heavy study time. For English, passive exposure like reading or listening to music might be enough if you already have a high level.
Honest tradeoffs: you cannot improve all languages simultaneously. If you want to maintain French at B2, you need to schedule it, even if just for 10 minutes daily. If you skip it for weeks, you will notice a decline in fluency and retrieval speed. That is normal and not a failure. The mental struggle often comes from guilt or perfectionism. Remind yourself that language maintenance is about consistency, not intensity. A short daily habit beats a long weekly session.
Concrete next steps: 1) Set a weekly schedule: 5-10 minutes of French reading/listening each day, plus one longer conversation or writing session per week. 2) Use a language exchange app or find a French-speaking friend for low-pressure speaking practice once a week. 3) For English, you can likely maintain it with passive exposure, but if you notice rust, add a 5-minute speaking exercise like summarizing your day. 4) Track your usage for two weeks to see where you naturally spend time and where you need to adjust. 5) Accept that your Italian will be strongest now, and that is fine. Rotate focus every few months if you want to bring French back up.
The mental part gets easier when you treat language maintenance like physical fitness: you don't need to be at peak for all muscles at once. Rotate, rest, and keep moving.