My 3 year old sourdough starter died and I'm actually relieved

Everyone in this group seems to think keeping a starter alive for decades is some kind of badge of honor. But last month when my cat knocked my jar off the counter and it shattered, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I got that starter going back in 2020 during the lockdown like everyone else, and I spent 3 years worrying about feeding schedules and keeping it cold when I traveled. The bread was fine but nothing amazing compared to what I can make with a packet of yeast from the store. Has anyone else secretly been happier after losing their starter?

2 comments

2 Comments

torres.leo1mo agoMost Upvoted

The line about feeling a "huge weight lift off your shoulders" really hit home. I read somewhere that a lot of people actually ditch their starters after the first year or two once the novelty wears off. I kept mine alive for about 18 months before I accidentally left it out too long, and I was secretly glad when it turned green. The daily feeding and planning around trips was way more stress than the bread was worth.

gonzalez.grant1mo ago

Wait you let it turn green before tossing it? @torres.leo that's a full science experiment at that point. The relief when it finally goes bad is real, I felt the same way when mine got contaminated after I left the lid loose. Good bread isn't worth that kind of daily guilt trip.