How learning helps me become a better blogger

I’ve always loved learning. I got excited about my university lectures and even take online courses to this day. I realise some people are not built like this, but I am that type of person. I thrive on learning something new. And my passion for learning certainly helps me become a better blogger.

Reading books is something I love (a bit more difficult with a toddler these days), and I have a newfound love of podcasts. I’ve always loved documentaries, But I Should Be Fine: How to gain relief from anxiety, overthinking and pesky self-doubt“>self-help books, and anything factual. 

Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Before watching a film, I ask myself, will it teach me something, will it be a waste of my life? Yes, I’m that person and the hubby & I spend more time deliberating on which film to watch, rather than actually watching. He finds it incredibly annoying! 

The same theme runs throughout my life. What can I learn or gain from using this time? This is why I feel like I fit in perfectly in the blogging world. You can read more about the benefits of learning here.

Making connections with other bloggers

Becoming a better blogger means being part of a community. For those who don’t know, the blogging community is amazing, welcoming, supportive, always willing to help one another. I’m gaining more value than I ever would have at a face-to-face support group. Mainly because I can easily connect with others around the world, not just confined to my local area. 

I look forward to interacting with these people on a daily basis. It isn’t hard work to me, it’s learning, growing, and collectively working towards a goal. My goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues and helping parents hopefully avoid the mental struggles I had to endure. 

Here is a list of why soaking up information helps my creative process:

1. Reading 

I am literally that person who used to highlight my books at university. I still have copies of the ones I studied with bookmarks & post it’s all over them. Keeping them and looking back reminds me of how much I learned. To me, the notations, the post-it’s, those beautiful colours, equals new information. This post explains my love of all things stationery. 

Who used to buy second-hand books from Amazon? I was particularly excited when one arrived with other people’s notations. My mind would run wild: what could this previous owner teach me? What did they gain from reading this? Is there something I haven’t already thought about myself? 

2. Online courses

Here is a list of the courses I regularly take:

Eventbrite – they have free online workshops and if you miss the actual event, they email you the details so you can soak up the information at a later date

Centre Of Excellence – a range of cheap courses, particularly in areas of self-care and mindfulness

Daily OM – The beauty of their courses is you can choose an amount to pay. This makes learning affordable for you. The courses are also easy to navigate and interesting to work through

Future Learn – a range of courses in a wide range of subjects (some are free)

OpenLearn – this is one I haven’t yet tried, but I have it saved in my favourites. If anyone has done their courses, let me know below

Blogging courses

I am now at the point where I want to take some courses other bloggers have put together, to become a better blogger. It’s true that the best resource really is other bloggers. People who’ve experienced the same problems, worries as you. They are of course best placed to pass on their knowledge. 

It will probably be around November time when I start my learning journey. Watch this space as I will be recommending some I have taken myself. 

3. Podcasts 

I’d heard of podcasts and during the period of working from home, colleagues told me they listened to them. I always just thought, no I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on two things at once. That is still true. My learning brain needs to pay full attention to the information at hand. 

Therefore, I now reserve podcast time for the bath or sitting in the park on a bench. Concentration music is needed when I’m blogging or writing. 

4. Reading other blog posts 

We are all unique in our own way and what I love about the blogging community is there is no competition. Bloggers frequently share ideas for post titles, we contribute to each other’s posts, provide ideas, help out, guest post. 

This being the case, reading someone else’s view on something can sometimes make you think, yeah I like that subject and this is how I would write about this particular topic. Maybe I know about it and should write about it for others to read. 

This aids your own creative process and I genuinely smile when I read other people’s work.

5. Commenting on other people’s blogs

Whilst I usually let the comments on my blog build up and become a little overwhelmed at having to reply to 30 in one sitting, I honestly love the process whilst I’m doing it. 

Replying to comments from fellow bloggers not only makes me feel warm inside and confirms I am on the right path in starting the blog, but I also learn something new about myself each time I respond. I wrote the original blog post and it’s unique to me. When replying to comments, I find myself giving away more information, stating something I maybe didn’t realise about myself. It’s a great process.

One of the goals on my spreadsheet is to collate my comment replies and use them as a basis for another blog post, something useful. Yet to be decided. 

Final thoughts

As human beings, we are all learning and evolving constantly. If you’re not actively doing this, you’re static and it isn’t a great place to be in. I feel alive doing what I love each day and intend to keep blogging despite any setbacks I may face.

How are you becoming a better blogger? Or a better version of yourself through learning.

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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