Yeah this is what I did over a couple of years. Move things over slowly as much as you be bothered... do the accounts and people you use the most first. Eventually you'll only have junk going to your Google address and you'll be happy to see it go.
Some (most?) email providers will have tools to help you move from Gmail and keep contacts etc.
I think (at least part of) the problem is that whenever the media explain anything fediverse they start by saying "this is really complicated" and then give a ridiculous analogy. The average person switches off as soon as they're told its complicated and the supposed explanation provides nothing helpful.
I agree with you, if they figured out email they can figure this.
This sounds like a great idea. What feed reader do you use? Are there ones specially for this or better suited to it or will any do?