Lessons from Inside Out 2!

I remember being 9 years old when I saw Inside Out for the first time.

Eight years later, in the same movie theatre, with the same popcorn flavour, I sat down to watch its sequel—only with a different frame of mind.

If you've watched the film, I think it's fair to assume that there was something that resonated with everyone's inner child. So I thought, why not make today's blog on why what the protagonist Riley experienced was so important to us?

Without further ado, let's get to it!

1. Words matter
   
   
   The way you talk to yourself matters.
   The way we speak to ourselves shapes how we see who we are and what we can become.
   The things we tell ourselves repeatedly affect how we relate to others.
   
   
   Your inner voice can be your biggest supporter or your scariest critic; this is why it becomes so important to introspect on the things we tell ourselves repeatedly, whether positive or negative, to determine the way we carry ourselves and how we interact with the world around us. 
   
   
   Self-compassion is the best gift we can give ourselves.
   
   
2. Emotions are Messy!
   
   
   And that's okay.
   Throughout the film, it's always a fight between emotions for the control board, but by the end, we realise that emotions can coexist, as jumbled as they may be; and in fact, that's the healthiest outcome in the long run.
   
   
   Emotions can feel chaotic and tangled, but they exist to remind us that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to be imperfect, to not have everything figured out, and to not meet the expectations others might place on us. It's okay to stumble along the way, because that's what makes you human.
   
   
   And part of that comes with acknowledging that they're experiences, not definitions: they're tiny balls that get stored at the end of the day into the vast trenches of our brain - you may or may not experience it ever again. They don't determine who we are at our core, and our worth shouldn't change based on how we feel in a fleeting moment. It's accumulated life experiences that define you - not one single moment in it.
   
   
3. It's okay to not be okay.
   
   As cliched as it may be, it's true.
   The film serves us as a reminder that in pursuit of excellence, we often forget that perfection is impossible and can lead to stress and disappointment. It's okay to not feel the same way as you did 8 years ago.
   It’s a reminder that we don’t need to have everything figured out or be "perfect." Our imperfections and struggles are merely opportunities for growth and learning.
   We're a tapestry of virtues and flaws, and by recognising our full range of qualities and not resorting to self-sabotage, we develop greater self-acceptance and empathy. 
   
   
4. Take Time.
   
   
   Pause. Think.
   How do I feel right now?
   Do I want to feel this way right now?
   Why do I feel this way?
   
   
   The answers to these questions may not help solve them in a jiffy, but they'll give you a basic framework and help rationalise your thoughts. 
   The value lies in taking the time to reflect, sit with those emotions, give yourself permission to not have everything figured out in an instant, and acknowledge all of what you're feeling at that moment.
   It can take time to understand why we feel the way we do. But reflecting on these questions is important. It helps you start to make sense of your emotions and figure out how to handle them.
   
   
5. Cry.
   
   Trust. It feels good. 
   Sometimes, you just have to cry it out. Sadness is a part of life, and it’s okay to feel it. Don't suppress it because it'lll grow bigger and bigger until it bursts. Until you allow yourself to feel all your emotions, you can't let them pass and have other emotions emerge and be embraced(ugh, what a ChatGPT'ed word!)
   
   Watching the film about a teenager as a young adult felt utterly personal. All the emotions Riley navigated were something I felt over my teens. I'm really glad I saw it when I did, because I could truly understand the thought behind the film.
   
   I hope you enjoyed today's blog, and don't forget to share and follow for more, every second friday of the month!
   
   P.s. I waited 8 months to post this blog because I know not everyone watched it in June! Hope this blog didn't have any spoilers :P
   
   Signing off,
   Kuhu :)