Mac mini M1 Monterey 12.1 update is the worst update I've experienced since the '90s.

When I selected update the first time, before anything happens, that popup notice (upper right) would show up prompting me to do the update even though I already selected update. So the Software Update dialog window is open upper left and popup notice upper right and nothing is happening. Everything behaves like I never selected the update. So it's possible I might have been impatient if M1 needs way more time to even begin the update. And when it appears to start the update, the screen goes blank and the M1 appears to have completely shut down. But I waited anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes each time for it do something, like for anything to show up on the screen. Maybe if I waited long enough the upper right notice would go away and the update would eventually start. The last time when the scroll was done there was no notice that the update was complete. The M1 shut down. I waited and waited. Eventually I pressed the power button and the M1 started up and the Update dialog window indicated "Your Mac is up to date - macOS Monterey 12.1". My guess is the Mini M1 needs to be manually restarted after it has completed the update, but there was no clue that the update was completed.

No - it didn't occur to me to use Safe Mode because I haven't had to in ages. Back in the G3 and G4 days it was pretty common.

Is there an undocumented process for accepting this update? Like closing all active apps/programs first? Manually restart before doing the update? Anything to make this update smoother?