Sour Doh!
keep your bread in the game
Every letter I share a story about my life in a way that you can hopefully relate to. I believe we are all here to share our journey, both the highs and the lows, as this is how we collectively raise the consciousness of the planet. If anything resonates with you, please share! 🙏
I Can Do This
Last year, during a relaxing stay at a friend’s house in Hawaii, I found myself flipping through a few of the homeowner’s baking books.
The one that caught my eye was Josey Baker Bread. Written in an easygoing, approachable style, it simplifies the process of baking your first loaf—a far cry from the dense bread guides I’d seen before.
Since the materials were already on hand, I decided to try my luck at making sourdough bread for the first time.
Maybe it was the “magic of the islands,” or just beginner’s luck, but that first loaf turned out perfect.
There was something so satisfying about knocking on the bottom of the cooled loaf and hearing that hollow sound. The crust had the perfect crunch, and the inside? Soft, airy, with that sourdough smell.
Since then, I’ve been trying to recreate that magic back home in Minnesota. But… let’s just say the results have been inconsistent.
Some loaves have barely risen; others come out dense, in a mocking kind of way. Still, I keep coming back to it—not for the end result, but for the process itself.
There’s something grounding about baking bread. As someone who spends most of the day online, I’ve discovered a small, tactile joy in kneading dough with my hands. It’s messy and imperfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful.
Sourdough, in particular, feels alive—unpredictable, very temperamental. It teaches patience. There are so many variables at play, it’s maddening at times to figure out what works.
You can’t rush the proofing. You can’t force the dough to rise. You can’t control the outcome. And somehow, that’s the point. It’s a quiet reminder that not everything in life can be planned or perfected.
Each loaf, successful or not, feels like a little lesson in humility and presence. And isn’t that what it’s all about? To embrace the process, to experiment, and to sample the simple joy of creating something with your hands?
In a lot of ways, my sourdough journey feels like life. Some days, you nail it. Other days? Not so much.
But the goal isn’t perfection. It’s showing up, getting your hands messy, and finding joy in the experience.
That’s something I’m working toward every day. Maybe it’s why I keep trying.
What about you? What’s your version of kneading dough—something that brings you joy, even when it’s imperfect?
With gratitude,
🙏 Harry
P.S. Fellow sourdough enthusiasts (or aspiring ones), I’d love to hear about your baking adventures. Let’s trade stories.
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