A Final Mindset Note

The biggest thing experienced sourdough bakers wish they'd known earlier is that the starter is much more resilient than it seems in week 1. You spent 14 days nurturing it like a baby, and that's appropriate for the build phase. But once mature, it's closer to a hardy houseplant than a newborn — it can handle neglect, temperature swings, and missed feedings just fine.

Don't let starter maintenance become a source of anxiety. Make a dried backup, keep it lean in the fridge, feed it once a week, and bake when you feel like baking. That's the whole game.