Pickles are just cucumbers that waited long enough. Some things only get good after sitting in it.

There are transformations that no amount of effort can accelerate, because the active ingredient is duration. The thing sits, apparently doing nothing, and chemistry happens slowly and then all at once. Anyone watching in the first week would conclude the process had failed, which is why so many people take things out early.

If you are in a stretch that feels like nothing but soaking, check that the conditions are right and then stop checking the result. Ask someone who has done it how long it actually takes. Then hold out past the point where you would normally lose faith.