The quote illustrates the struggle of living in despair, likening it to being trapped underwater, unable to breathe or escape. This imagery captures the feeling of emotional suffocation, where the person is aware of joyful memories and laughter yet feels completely isolated and powerless to engage with them. The weight of this agony renders everything joyful out of reach, emphasizing a deep-seated anguish.
Furthermore, the wish for death to be akin to floating suggests a longing for relief and release from pain. It contrasts life’s pressures with the serene and freeing nature of floating, implying that death could provide a sense of peace that eludes the speaker while alive. Overall, the reflections blend a vivid portrayal of suffering with a yearning for tranquility beyond life's struggles.