I had sourdough paralysis for so long. I'd try to figure out recipes and ratios and times, and my breads would never turn out, and I'd break up with sourdough for months or years before getting the itch to try again. This most recent time, back in October I started a starter in our new house bc I didn't have one left from the last time I quit sourdough. It took MONTHS to wake up, I shit you not. I've never had it go that long, I was convinced I was doing something wrong or there was a black magic dough curse on me or something. (Maybe it was from a lack of yeasts in the air of our new house where nobody until me had done much fermenting. ) But finally, FINALLY, she woke up. And this time I didn't bother measuring or using recipes or anything. I just go by feel and eye. "It's good enough." And it's so easy now!! I just dump some starter in a bowl, add 4 (for one loaf) or 8 (for two loaves) cups of flour, a spoonful of salt, and enough water until I like the consistency. Stretch and fold 4 or so times, then leave it on the counter until bedtime, throw them into a banneton and put in the fridge. The next morning, bake. Just stopping weighing and measuring exactly and referring to recipes and ratios has been transformative. Now I can fit it into my day between things. Now sourdough is a forever part of my life. I named her Olive (Olive Loaf).
