When I was nine, I'd make make-believe The good guy always caught the thief The room went dark and I couldn't sleep I was in over my head
As a child, the songwriter enjoyed making up stories where the hero always triumphed, but even then he found himself struggling to process the emotional weight of dark themes and felt overwhelmed.

At 15, I would look around And all my friends had it figured out They all thought it, but they never said out loud I was in over my head
As a teenager, the songwriter began to feel like he was lagging behind his peers in terms of maturity, and although he knew other people probably felt the same way, he still felt like he couldn't keep up.

I thought I'd make change happen overnight I was 20, thought I had a good hold on life Didn't know it at the time, I was not alright I was in over my head
In his 20s, the songwriter made the mistake of thinking he could fix his problems and find fulfillment quickly, without realizing that real change takes time and effort. This led to an unfulfilling and difficult period of his life.

Now I'm pretty sure at 26 That it isn't gonna be some little fix The game wasn't rigged by accident I'm in over my head
Now in his mid-20s, the songwriter has gained some wisdom and understands that there are no easy solutions to life's problems, and that nothing is guaranteed or handed to you without hard work. He feels overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead.

Oh, I feel this vertigo Sick of being an optimist I'm trying, I'm trying
The songwriter feels dizzy and disoriented by the difficulties of life. He's tired of trying to stay positive and motivated, but despite the challenges, he's still putting forth effort.

Deep down, it hurts to know How bad I wanna call it quits I'm trying, I'm trying
Despite his best efforts, the songwriter admits that he feels like giving up. It's painful to face this reality, but he's still trying to push forward and persevere.

I'm in over my head I'm in over my head Woo Woo 'Cause I'm in over my head
The chorus repeats the main theme of the song: the songwriter feels overwhelmed by his struggles and doesn't know if he can overcome them. The 'woos' express his frustration and helplessness.