Three years ago, I embarked on a culinary journey that would teach me far more than just baking: the art of making sourdough. What started as a simple baking project evolved into a profound life lesson about perseverance, learning, and the beauty of embracing imperfections. I’ll share my sourdough adventure and the unexpected insights it brought, insights that can apply to various aspects of life and personal growth.
Starting the Sourdough Journey
Creating a sourdough starter from scratch is a process that requires patience, precision, and a bit of luck, especially in the chilly winters of South Dakota. The initial excitement was met with challenges. Despite my best efforts, the results were far from the lofty expectations set by artisanal bread images on Instagram (check out my inspiration on #sourdough). My loaves were often dense, underproofed, and underwhelming.
For two years, I found myself overwhelmed by the intricate science of sourdough baking. The wealth of information available online became more daunting than helpful. So, I decided to take a break. My sourdough starter, once a symbol of culinary aspiration, sat forgotten in the back of my refrigerator.
A Renewed Approach: Learning and Experimentation
The turning point came when I joined a sourdough group on Facebook. Here, I found a community of bakers at various skill levels, all sharing their successes and failures. I watched YouTube tutorials, absorbing tips and tricks from seasoned bakers. This time, instead of aiming for perfection, I gave myself permission to experiment and fail.
My approach to sourdough baking transformed. I started to tweak recipes, adjust hydration levels, and play with different ways to make it (like autolyse, bulk fermentation times, and using ice cubes when baking). Each loaf became a learning opportunity, a chance to understand the nuances of sourdough better. And then, after just a few attempts with this new mindset, something wonderful happened – I baked a beautiful loaf. It was airy, with a perfect crust and a flavor profile that was just right.
The Sourdough Lesson: Do It Messy
This experience with sourdough taught me a crucial life lesson: the importance of doing things messily. In our pursuit of perfection, we often fear starting something new or continuing something challenging. We fear that our efforts won’t be good enough or that our results will be far from ideal.
However, true learning and growth come from the process, not the outcome. It’s about trying something, analyzing the results, and then applying the lessons learned. By embracing the messy process of trial and error, I not only improved my sourdough baking but also adopted a new approach to challenges in other areas of my life.
Applying the Lesson Beyond the Kitchen
This ‘do it messy’ approach can be applied to various aspects of life, whether it’s learning a new skill, pursuing a project, or personal development. The key is to start somewhere, make adjustments along the way, and be open to learning from each experience.
For instance, in your career, this might mean taking on a challenging project and learning on the job. In personal development, it could involve trying a new habit and tweaking it until it fits your lifestyle.
The journey of making sourdough, with all its ups and downs, became a metaphor for life’s larger journey. It reinforced the idea that perfection is not the goal; learning and growth are. Whether you’re kneading dough or navigating the complexities of life, remember to embrace the process, accept imperfections, and cherish the progress you make along the way.
After all, the most beautiful loaves, like the best moments in life, often come from the messiest of beginnings.
