Hey there, movie buffs! Have you ever wondered how a film could touch your heart and soul simultaneously? Well, Pixar's "Inside Out 2” did just that by exploring the intricacies of our emotions. Before we continue, here is an official SPOILER ALERT!

Like its predecessor “Inside Out,” “Inside Out 2”  is charming and witty while also introducing the audience to new emotions such as Anxiety and Embarrassment. It’s incredibly relatable, especially with its take on how the brain handles puberty and anxiety. So let’s dive in to the spirituality of this cute, animated “kids” movie!

Let's Talk About Anxiety

“Inside Out 2” focuses around the introduction of new emotions, most notably Anxiety; and boy is Anxiety all over the place. The emotion quickly takes control of the console and Riley’s actions. She explains that no one should worry, Anxiety always has a plan.

Within minutes of this new emotions introduction, chaos brakes out and Anxiety literally bottles up the other emotions, leaving only herself, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui. The symbolism of bottling up your emotions and letting your anxiety take control is not lost on us, but actually watching a visual puts your own anxiety into a new perspective.

While watching this film, it’s easy to point out when Riley starts to loose her sense of self, and lets her own anxiety takes over. Anxiety literally creates a new belief system for Riley, thus creating a new identity. Luckily, there are some things that Riley does and her other emotions do that help her regulate her new anxiety and take on puberty one step at a time.

Spirituality within Inside Out 2

Belief System

The film centers around the growth and idea of Riley’s belief system. It’s a place where her memories establish things she believes about herself, things such as, “I’m a really good friend” or “I’m a good person.” As joy says, “All those beliefs come together to make our Riley.”

Another name for it could be “Affirmation Center.” It’s there in the belief system where our mantras and affirmations are born. However, as the film goes on to show, when we let our anxiety take over, our belief system starts to change and we loose sight of those positive affirmations.

Deep Breathing  

At the climax of the film, Riley begins to experience a panic attack. Anxiety is way out of control and the other emotions cannot remove her new belief system. It in this moment that Riley begins to take deep long breaths. In her head, Anxiety and Joy settle their differences and the emotions get back under control. Riley listens to the world around her, feels the chair she’s sitting on, and appreciates the light on her eyes. She takes a moment to pause and breath, something our app continually recommends win our anxiety exercises!

Special Chair

At the end of the film, Riley has got her anxiety under control. In her head, the new emotions continue to work together and Joy has even put together an anxiety corner, where Anxiety can go and take a deep breath. The coroner has a massage chair, candles, and special tea to help anxiety think calm down and think about what they can control.

This special chair is symbolic for the calm place in our heads that we go to when our own anxiety is out of control. It’s the place we escape to when we do meditations, deep breathing, or recite our own affirmations.

Spiritual Exercises that Riley could have used

Prayer For Joy With Kelly

One of the most tragic lines of the entire movie is when Joy says this, “Maybe this is what happens when you grow up, you feel less joy.” As a society we always talk about our envy of childlike wonderment and happiness. Why is it that we experience less joy the older we get? Do we consciously choose that?

In that moment, Riley needed Joy, she needed to feel happiness, and one way the movie could have incorporated spirituality is by having Riley say a prayer for joy. Riley does look upward, towards the sun, and in the quick moments she could have used this exercise to help her feel joy!

Meditation For Anxiety With Anna

While Riley does incorporate deep breathing to help with her anxiety, mediation is another great option! When Joy said, ““Anxiety stop, you don’t get to choose who Riley is. Anxiety you need to let her go,” mediation is immediately what I thought of. One of the common teachings of mediation is this idea of letting go. Letting go of your fears, worries, anxiety, but also of attachment, thoughts, and the need to control. When you let go, you can calm down and find a place of mindfulness and serenity. This spiritual exercise would have helped Riley feel peace and calm when she needed it most!

Affirmations For Anxiety With Zak

As mentioned above, Anxiety changes Riley’s belief system, thus changing how she views herself. With this affirmation exercise with Zak, those thoughts that Riley uses to establish her new belief system would be replaced instead with positive thoughts about herself and ways to overcome her anxiety.

Conclusion

"Inside Out 2" is more than just a sequel; it’s an exploration of anxiety through the lens of animation. It’s an emotional, relatable, and spiritual adventure that reflects our own experiences in life. The world of “Inside Out” continues to touch our hearts and souls, reminding us of the beauty and complexity of our inner worlds!

Other Related Articles:

From Anxiety To Joy: Inside Out 2 And The Skylight App
‍Inside Out 2 Review: The Showdown Between Anxiety And Joy
Inside Out 2 Review- What It Got Right And Wrong
Feeling Blue? Look Inside: “Inside Out 2”
The Battle For The Sense Of Self: A Review Of "Inside Out 2"
Inside Out 2: Balancing Anxiety With Joy
The Dharma I Learned From Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 From A Jewish Perspective
Beliefs Are Anchors For The Soul In Pixar's "Inside Out 2"
Inside Out 2 Strikes An Emotional And Spiritual Balance‍
Inside Out 2 Parallels Faith Journey, Theological Education
Inside Out 2: A Muslim Perspective

Other Related Exercises:

Breathwork For Anxiety With Kelly
Meditation For Anxiety With Thomas
Affirmations For Anxiety With Mikayla