Three Major Lessons From “Inside Out 2”
The new anticipated Pixar movie Inside Out 2 has taken movie theaters by storm. Kids, teens, young adults, and families have rushed theaters to witness our childhood friend Riley all live her new teenage life! The movie delivers not just a delightful cinematic experience but also profound life lessons.
But some things have changed for Riley; she’s an amazing hockey player, and she’s about to enter middle school. Oh! And, she has anxiety! The movie depicts Riley navigating puberty, with new emotions being introduced into her mind. In the first movie, her mind is controlled by Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. In the most recent one however, the five emotions are kicked out by Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, Boredom, and a hint of Nostalgia.
Nonetheless, the original five emotions, particularly Joy, worked their way back to support Riley when anxiety began to take over. Here are the 3 takeaways to resonated with me most.
1. Rely On Joy— It Will Remind You of What You Know Rather Than What You Feel
In the movie, anxiety strives to control Riley's mind based on what she feels is best for her. As a result, Riley pushes away her friends, suppresses her personality, and almost misses her chance to impress a high school hockey coach.
Anxiety insists it has a “plan” for Riley, rearranging her beliefs to trigger outcomes it thinks will benefit her. For example, it suppresses Riley’s belief that “she’s a good person” because it sees her friends as obstacles to her hockey dreams.
But when JOY realizes the negative impact this has on Riley, she works tirelessly to restore that belief. JOY knows Riley is a good person, regardless of how she might sometimes feel.
What I took away from this is the importance of mind over matter. Joy over anxiety. Always rely on what you know rather than what you feel, because it will not lead you astray.
Feelings, especially those driven by anxiety, can often be misleading and distort reality. They can create scenarios in our minds that are not based on facts, but on fears.
Joy, as portrayed in the movie, serves as a reminder of our inherent goodness and potential. It encourages us to see beyond our immediate fears and anxieties and to focus on the positive aspects of our lives. When we prioritize joy, we allow ourselves to move forward with confidence and clarity.
2. Speak to Yourself with Love
In the scene where the original five emotions are trying to find their way back to the control center of Riley’s mind, they encounter the “Anxiety Workshop Lobe.” Here, Anxiety's minions are drafting possible scenarios for Riley’s life decisions, sparking her anxiety and causing nightmares.
When the original five emotions arrive, they realize that they are “using Riley’s imagination against her.” They work to shut down the workshop, drawing positive scenarios for Riley to remember instead. While doing so, Riley says what sounds like an affirmation: “Pens down; perceptions off.”
This scene reminded me to always speak to myself with love.
In our daily lives, it's easy to fall into the trap of overthinking and imagining worst-case scenarios. Anxiety can create endless "what if" situations that cloud our judgment. However, just like the original five emotions working to shut down the Anxiety Workshop Lobe, we can take control of our thoughts. By consciously focusing on positive outcomes and affirmations, we can shift our mindset from fear to optimism; because worrying means putting ourselves through something that might never happen or if it does happen, experiencing it twice.
Through practice, we can learn to speak to ourselves with love and kindness, reinforcing the positive aspects of our lives and reducing the hold anxiety has on us.
3. Joy Will Always Overcome Anxiety
Now for the scene everyone has been raving about.
At the end of the movie, all five original emotions find their way back to the control center of Riley’s mind. Upon their arrival, Anxiety triggers Riley to have a panic attack.
Her head starts spinning, she feels like she’s drowning, and anxiety spirals out of control. The other emotions are pushed away by the anxiety storm. Joy is also swept away, but she fights her way back in.
While in the storm, Joy confronts Anxiety, saying, “You don’t get to control who Riley is. Anxiety, you need to let her go.” Within seconds, Anxiety releases its grip on Riley’s mind.
This scene reminded me that Joy will always overcome Anxiety. Even in the most intense and overwhelming moments, Joy has the power to break through the chaos and bring clarity and calm. It also reminded me Phillipians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.”
The confrontation between Joy and Anxiety also highlights an important lesson: we have the power to choose our response to anxiety. By focusing on joy, gratitude, and faith, we can diminish anxiety’s hold over us. It’s a reminder that our true identity is not defined by our fears but by our capacity for joy, love, and resilience.
Inside Out 2 is a call for us to embrace growing up, and most importantly, embrace joy as we navigate life’s challenges.