iMessage non-responsive on 2025 Macbook Pro with Sequoia (15.5) once I open the app.

I receive notifications that I have a new message and when I go to open it, the first few messages will load and I can usually respond to one before I get the beachball and then I have to force quit.

I have over 870GB of storage left and don't have a lot open in terms of tabs or programs. This seems to have started in the last two days of use. I'm fully up to date on my software too - using 15.5.

Any troubleshooting recommendations are super appreciated!