“Mummy, it’s not that deep.” That’s something Kaima says all the time she thinks I overthink or get worked up about something. She throws it out so casually, and somehow, it always brings me calmness.
We live in a time where every word, action, and thought is often dissected, analyzed, and debated. We search for hidden meanings, hidden motives, and hidden truths in places where, frankly, they don’t always exist. And I believe that this is peculiar to our generation because we overthink things.
I have come to realise that to live a peaceful and happy life, not everything requires attention. Not every time will the house be as tidy as I want. Not every meal will be as delicious as I plan. Not every word said or text sent requires a reply. Not every task needs to be delivered accurately. Not every awkward interaction needs hours of post-analysis with a friend. Sometimes, someone was just tired. Sometimes, the joke was just a joke. Sometimes, pizza is just pizza, not a symbol of your emotional avoidance.
Most of the problems we focus heavily on aren’t as serious as they seem, they’re often just a passing phase that we come to understand with time.
This isn’t to say that things don’t have meaning or that reflection isn’t valuable. There is a time for depth, for introspection, and for questioning. But there’s also wisdom in knowing when to let things be.
Life is not that deep. Not every moment demands philosophical depth or psychological decoding. Sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do is laugh, shrug, or move on.
In relationships, in careers, in daily life, learning to say, It’s not that deep, like Kaima also does, is a skill. It’s emotional minimalism. It’s protecting your peace. It’s choosing not to spiral when the truth might just be simple.
So next time you’re replaying that conversation in your head for the fifth time, or wondering why someone used a period instead of an exclamation mark, pause. Breathe. Remind yourself, maybe it’s not that deep.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
