Optimize Catalog is slow

I use LR to make my living. Obviously, LR is a pain the ass some times, maybe most of the time.

Today, I'm shorthanded, about 6 hours in and playing catchup. Lightroom helpfully suggests that I "Optimize my Catalog" if it is running slowly. Hell yeah, it's slow. I'm told it "may take several minutes".
No problem. I need to grab a snack anyway and I've got stuff I can do in PS..

So, now one hour plus later... I still cannot use Lightroom! WTF guys, 1 hour is not several minutes.
This is stupid.

I have M3 Pro Mac Book Pro