When the 2018 Grammy nominations were announced, many Ed Sheeran fans were surprised that his name was not included in the album of the year and song of the year categories. While the singer briefly touched upon the subject during a recent appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ YouTube show, he further elaborated on his feelings about the perceived snub while speaking with Billboard’s Kevan Kenney backstage at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert in New York City on Friday night (Dec. 8)

Upon being asked if he was disappointed when he heard the news, the Dividesinger said he was not, explaining that he understood why it happened. “There’s a very clear reason why that happened and it’s bigger than me, like much bigger than me, and like it’s just something that, again, it was just meant to be, that is the way that this year was meant to roll out,” he says.

“You know I’m not dying, it’s not like I’m never gonna be nominated for a Grammy again,” continues Sheeran. “And I was nominated for two Grammys. This is why everything’s meant to be. The week after that, I get an MBE from the palace, I go No. 1 on Spotify, I go No. 1 on Billboard, I’m about to have my second ever Billboard No. 1, like there’s so many other things in the mix that counterbalance it.”

“That’s just the way I live my life,” he concludes. “When one door closes, another door opens. You’ll really, really send yourself mental if you think into things too much, and I’m just so easy-going when it comes to that.”