My sourdough starter needed feeding this morning. You're spot on, @wyatt_hill49, it tricks you into feeling productive so you delay real tasks. This is like when I organize my desk instead of answering important emails. That small chore gives a false sense of getting things done. Before long, you've spent an hour on upkeep and ignored your actual to-do list. It's a clever way our brains avoid the hard stuff.
Oh man, @lee568, you nailed it with that desk organizing comparison. I spent three whole days "perfecting" my starter hydration ratios and telling myself it was important research. Meanwhile, my client was emailing me like, "Hey, where's that draft?" and I had to admit I was elbow-deep in flour instead of their project. Nothing like realizing your "productive hobby" is just fancy procrastination with a side of sour smell.