A serious news story gets two teens Devi and Maria thinking. Life is full of surprises, and not always the good kind. In this canteen chat, they talk about why we should stop overthinking and start living a little more, every single day.

Maria: Hey, how was your break?

Devi : Not great. My brain has been spiraling nonstop. Random thoughts, worst-case scenarios, everything. Read the tsunami alert news in the US, then that 8.4 earthquake? My mind’s been a mess. 

Maria: Yeah, it’s been nonstop. Been there. 

Devi: I know. But weirdly, I keep going back to that old Air India AI-171 crash. I just can’t stop thinking about it…Imagine going on a vacation with your family, and the next moment you’re just…gone.

Maria: I know. It’s been all over the news. The crash was really tragic—241 innocent lives lost in a matter of seconds. Some were headed out to start a new life, some were just going home. Now their stories will remain unwritten.

Devi: That is so heavy. It’s actually scary how uncertain life is. Like… any one of us could have been on that flight.

Maria: We all board flights today without even thinking twice, just assuming we’ll land safely. But that flight didn’t, and now all those people are just a headline or a number in some random news report.

Devi: Like, I know I sound all deep and philosophical right now, but this crash really got me thinking about life.

Maria: Honestly, same. Even though it didn’t happen to us or anyone we love, it kind of woke me up. I even told my brother I loved him, without roasting him after!

Devi: In a weird way, it made me realise how tiny our problems are. And instead of planning everything to a T, we should just live a little. No one knows how much time we have left, and I’d rather be making memories than overthinking every single thing.

Maria: Same. I don’t want to keep waiting for the “right time.” Like that packet of expensive chocolates that got expired, just sitting in my fridge waiting to be opened on some special occasion.

Devi: You’re right. Today is our moment, and we should take out time to do things we love, and for people we love.

Maria: Even the little things, like getting a scoop of your favourite ice cream or gossiping with your best friend.

Devi: I had actually forgotten how pretty the sky looks when it’s all orange and pink. I just stood there and stared at it last night.

Maria: What do you say? Let’s celebrate today with a nice cup of coffee while watching the sunset.

Have you ever been in this situation? Share with us in the comments box below. Remember not to share any personal information in the comment boxes.