Thanks for watching Joy-Expanding & Anxiety-Reducing Lessons from Inside Out 2. You’ll get a therapist and a young adult’s take on how to interpret the movie Inside Out 2 in ways that can help you feel better. We talk about how thoughts and experiences turn into beliefs and how you can make a difference in the kind of belief experiences make.
You’ll learn how anxiety doesn’t have to control you; you can control you.
Foster a nurturing relationship with your inner joy.
Dr. Jodi and Lily discuss how you can cultivate joy every day.
Watch Joy-Expanding & Anxiety-Reducing Lessons from Inside Out 2 here:
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Resources Mentioned in Lessons from Inside Out 2
EnCompass Game: Navigating Challenges Through Conscious Purpose Order here:
CARDS: EnCompass Card Game
Redirect: Negative Thought Reframing Cards: Order here:
CARDS: Redirect Card Game
Synopsis of the Inside Out 2 Episode
In this energetic episode, Dr. Jodi and Lily dive into the deeper themes of the movie, Inside Out 2, exploring how it addresses our sense of self, identity, and how we deal with our emotions. We touch on the impact of our experiences on our belief systems and how that shapes our sense of self.
Lily’s Thoughts
I enjoyed the movie. It was fun, clever, and thought-provoking. I particularly connected with the emotional moments, especially during the panic attack scene and the ending. It made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions. What about you? What stood out to you?
Dr. Jodi
I also found it engaging and insightful. The premise of how our experiences, thoughts, and memories shape our beliefs and sense of self was compelling. It resonated with me as a therapist because it reflects the idea that our belief systems and sense of self are continuously evolving based on our experiences.
Experiences form Beliefs; they form the Belief Systems; that forms a Sense of Self
The premise of the movie is that thoughts and memories create beliefs, which together form a belief system, which builds a person’s sense of themselves. This is a good way to describe what happens. However, it is important to know that we can control what beliefs we take from negative experiences by the meaning we make of them. We explain that later in the episode!
The Role of Emotions and Beliefs
Lily
I was confused about why Riley’s bad memories had to be integrated into her sense of self. I get that our experiences shape who we are, but why do even embarrassing or negative memories need to define us? It seems like you can have those memories without letting them shape your entire sense of self.
Dr. Jodi
That’s a great question. In the movie, Riley’s sense of self evolves as she integrates various memories and experiences. The idea is that our sense of self is multifaceted. It’s not just about positive or negative experiences, but how we process and integrate them. The movie suggests that embracing the full spectrum of our experiences—including the challenging ones—helps us develop a more robust and authentic sense of self. So, we no longer just have the thin idea of “I’m a good person,” which we can easily be dislodged from. Instead, we see ourselves as a whole person.
Thus, those don’t define us; they are a part of us, and the balance makes them okay and human.
Joy initially tries to banish negative memories, but eventually realizes that all emotions and experiences contribute to a balanced sense of self. This reflects the idea that while we strive for happiness, it’s important to acknowledge and process all our emotions.
The Concept of Anxiety
Anxiety is depicted as a necessary character in the movie, and we discussed whether anxiety can have a positive role. Lily mentions feeling empathy for the anxiety character, especially during the panic attack scene.
Lily
I felt a lot of empathy for anxiety, especially during moments when it was depicted as overwhelmed and frozen in fear. It’s a relatable portrayal, but I wonder if it’s misleading. You’ve always told me that anxiety doesn’t have a positive role in our lives.
Dr. Jodi
That’s right. In my view, anxiety is often a leftover fear response when we’re not actually in danger. It’s not typically helpful in the way it’s portrayed in the movie. I think the movie anthropomorphizes anxiety to make it more relatable, but in reality, managing anxiety involves recognizing it as a natural response that we can learn to control and reduce. The goal is to separate ourselves from it, rather than letting it define our sense of self.
Conclusion
In summary, Inside Out 2 offers a rich exploration of how our experiences shape our beliefs and sense of self. While it uses creative storytelling to depict these concepts, it also raises important questions about how we integrate our memories and emotions into our identity. The discussions around anxiety and the role of negative experiences in shaping who we are provide valuable insights into how we can better understand and manage our emotional lives.
Thanks for joining us in this deep dive into Inside Out 2. We hope this discussion has expanded your understanding of the movie and its themes. Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments!
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