When was the last time you saw a children’s movie talk about emotions- not just the happy ones, but the “not-so-happy” ones too?
In a society where we inadvertently raise bubble-wrapped kids, trying to protect them from the big bad world, we don’t realise that we shield them from things that they need more understanding of.
Thankfully there are some books today that help address these topics in a language our children understand. We curated the list on KSP Book Club- you can check the list here.
And am so happy there is finally a movie that talks about it to a larger audience. Inside Out 2, the sequel to the widely successful children’s movie Inside Out has released and is making waves for the right reason.
Inside Out 2: What The Movie Is About
In case you haven’t seen Inside Out, here is what the original movie was about. After shifting to a new place, and eventually feeling stressed about making new friends, “Inside Out” follows the story of Riley, an 11-year-old girl whose emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—help her navigate the challenges of moving to a new city. When Joy and Sadness are accidentally swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind, the remaining emotions must manage without them. The film beautifully illustrates the necessity of all emotions in maintaining mental balance and personal growth.
Inside Out 2 is the perfect successor to the movie, while following Riley as she deals with new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui during her teenage years. The sequel maintains the charm and humor of the original, with stunning animation and a fresh exploration of Riley’s internal struggles.
Lessons From The Inside Out 2 Movie
When I watched the movie with my kids, I hardly felt like it was a children’s movie that talked only to the kids, leaving us bored and wanting an escape out. I knew what I was in on, ‘coz Inside Out had already set the bar high. But this one hit us so hard, that there wasn’t an adult in the movie hall, who wasn’t left teary-eyed at the end of the day. And I read that some of the world’s most respected psychologists served as scientific advisors for the film. Some attention to details, that!
Here are the 5 biggest takeaways for my children (and me especially) once we came out watching Inside Out 2.
Don’t Shush The Negative Emotions
While as parents we focus so much on providing our kids with positive emotions, we hardly teach them to accept and handle the negative emotions when they face it. “Don’t be so angry!”, “You shouldn’t be sad!”, we often tell them. But what is one supposed to do when they feel angry or sad or upset or vulnerable? These are absolutely common and our kids need to understand how to handle them right instead of growing up to be adults who are incapable of managing their own emotions. This movie beautifully encapsulates the different emotions and doesn’t shy away from addressing the negative ones.
We Need To Talk About Anxiety
The thing I loved about the movie is how they portrayed anxiety as a helpful emotion! Yes, read it again. The film introduces new emotions like Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Anxiety, highlighting the importance of anxiety as a natural and protective emotion. Do we really understand that as parents? A senior clinical psychologist Lisa Damour had reportedly praised the film on NPR for its realistic depiction of anxiety and effective coping strategies such as grounding techniques.
Self-Compassion Is The Key
How many times have we served as our biggest critic? In some ways it works but ain’t we too harsh on ourselves, at times? “Inside Out 2” emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in dealing with strong emotions, encouraging viewers to be kind to themselves and understand that managing emotions, rather than eliminating them, is key to emotional intelligence and well-being.
Solving The Old Friends vs New Friends Conflict
The movie also explores a topic that all of us, kids AND adults can relate to. It is about the complexities of friendship through Riley’s journey with her close-knit group and new acquaintances at hockey camp. It delves into the challenges of balancing old and new relationships, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, trust, and mutual support in sustaining meaningful connections.
Have you seen the movie already? If not head to the movie theatres today! And if you have, share your thoughts on the comments below.