> I find it a little daunting to learn both languages at the same time or Mandarin before Cantonese, especially since I'm not a big fan of Mandarin.
If you want to learn Mandarin "anyway," then it is okay to learn Mandarin while you are learning Standard Written Chinese. However, if you don't want to learn Mandarin, then you don't have to learn Mandarin in order to learn SWC.
When you write, think SWC. But when you speak, think Cantonese. Do not try to think Cantonese when you write, or think SWC when you speak. Your learning is successful when you get used to write in one set of grammar and vocab, but speak in another one.
If you want to learn Mandarin "anyway," then it is okay to learn Mandarin while you are learning Standard Written Chinese. However, if you don't want to learn Mandarin, then you don't have to learn Mandarin in order to learn SWC.
When you write, think SWC. But when you speak, think Cantonese. Do not try to think Cantonese when you write, or think SWC when you speak. Your learning is successful when you get used to write in one set of grammar and vocab, but speak in another one.