If you’re new to sourdough, let’s get one thing clear right away: A sourdough starter is not ready in 5–7 days. Most healthy, reliable starters take 14–21 days  to fully mature, sometimes longer. And that’s not failure. That’s fermentation. This guide is written to give you real expectations , clear daily instructions, and reassurance when things look weird (because they will). If you stick with it, you’ll end up with a strong, dependable starter that actually bakes good brea