7 Blender Habits I’d Build From Day One (If I Had to Start Over)

Simple habits that compound over time and separate real progress from endless tutorials.

February 09, 2026

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If I wiped everything I know about Blender and started again tomorrow, these are the habits I’d build immediately. Not because they’re fancy, but because they’re what separates people who actually improve from people stuck in tutorial limbo for years.

1. Finish projects, even when they’re ugly
Most learning happens at the end of a project: lighting, rendering, fixing what’s broken. An ugly finished project teaches more than ten abandoned ones. Reps matter more than perfection.

2. Rebuild work you admire
Instead of watching endless tutorials, pick a render you like and try to recreate it without guidance. This forces problem-solving. Tutorials teach steps. Rebuilding teaches thinking.

3. Study real life, not just Blender
Look at how real materials behave. Where scratches appear. How light wraps around objects. Tutorials teach tools. Observation teaches realism.

4. Learn shortcuts aggressively
Speed in Blender isn’t talent. It’s muscle memory. Knowing shortcuts keeps you in flow and saves hours over time. Learn at least one new shortcut every session.

5. Organize files from day one
Name objects. Use collections. Keep textures organized. It takes seconds now and saves hours later, especially when reopening old projects.

6. Always use references
Professionals don’t guess. They compare. Reference images for models, materials, and lighting remove uncertainty and instantly raise quality.

7. Touch Blender every day
Consistency beats intensity. Fifteen minutes daily compounds faster than long, irregular sessions. Momentum is everything.

None of these habits are exciting. All of them work. Build them early and let time do the rest.

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