This was me. I want you to know as a recovering perfectionist, this was REALLY hard for me. I want something to go perfect the FIRST time. So after failing many times trying to make a loaf, it was extremely discouraging for me. I honestly finally had let go and let God.  I let go of the expectation of making a “perfect” loaf and allowed Him and others in the community to teach me and learning how to adapt for my own climate.  But honestly, the thing that completely changed my journey was inheriting Eden. I know that sounds biased because we sell her, but the reason we sell her is because she is MAGICAL. She has helped 10,000+ people on their own journeys. We have been told countless times by customers that the only thing they changed was purchasing & rehydrating her for their sourdough and it changed everything. I don’t know what is inside her, but the Alaskan air or water that created her is superior. . So if you keep getting dense and unsuccessful loaves, even after adapting your recipe, it honestly might be your starter.