I killed three basil plants by overwatering them before I learned to just leave them alone. It’s the same idea, where trying too hard messes things up. Letting things breathe, whether it’s a starter or a project, often works better than forcing it.
My sourdough jar sits in the fridge for seven days between feedings now. The longer rest lets the yeast and bacteria balance out, which boosts rise and flavor. Sometimes doing less is the key to better results in slow projects like this.