What the Movie Inside Out Teaches Us About Living a Happier Life

Have you ever judged yourself for feeling angry, jealous, or sad? Have you struggled to understand these emotions or explain them to a child?

When my son told me he wanted to watch Inside Out 2 with us, not another animated film, I thought! I missed the first one when it came out in 2015, so I made a point to watch it before diving into the sequel.

I could hardly believe what I had just watched in both movies. Did they explain centuries-old Buddhist concepts in a way a child could understand without even realizing it? What a genius idea!

I have been studying the concept of ‘sense of self’ in my meditation training for the past year. But here it was in an animated movie format, explained through the lens of a 13-year-old teenager, Riley.

The Inside Out movies perfectly explain emotions and how we view ourselves to kids in ways parents cannot. 

In addition to joy, sadness, and anger, the new movie showcases Riley’s new emotions, such as anxiety, embarrassment, and boredom.

Join me as I share my reflections and key insights from this movie. 

Sense of Self

Riley’s story shows that our sense of self is more than one thing. It is built based on our beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and experiences. 

But they can change and continue to evolve, like Riley’s new sense of self as a teenager. Her experiences, worries, and joys all contributed to the latest version of her.

Embracing Every Emotion & Its Role

There are many emotions in our lives, and each one plays its part. We need anxiety as much as we need joy. We need fear as much as sadness. 

Anxiety helps make us plan and prepare for what’s to come. Fear helps us be careful when we need to be, and sadness allows us to process grief and loss.

Emotions don’t make us bad or weak.

In the movie, Riley is anxious about making the hockey team and envious of other players.

Like Riley, we can experience a range of thoughts and emotions, such as, ‘I am kind, I am scared, I am a good friend, I am selfish, I need help, I am a good person.’ All these emotions make us who we are. 

Each time we experience such emotions, we don’t need to beat ourselves up. They don’t make us bad people; they are just a part of us.

We need to acknowledge them, but we don’t need to be driven by them.

Learning to Manage Emotions

The movie shows Riley breaking into the coach’s office when she is very anxious about the results. When we are overwhelmed by emotions, whether anger, anxiety, or jealousy, we make choices we may regret later. 

Like the control tower controlling all emotions in Riley’s mind, when we learn how to master our emotions, we can live more peaceful lives.

Meditation, yoga, and journaling have all helped me manage and transform my emotions in the past.

Meditation has shown me that others have diverse belief systems like us. This realization has enabled me to be more open-minded and empathetic toward them.

Watching emotions is just like watching thoughts or listening to sounds. It does not matter which emotion arises — anger, hatred, desire, or anxiety. Do not try to control it. Just allow emotions to come, be in awareness, and allow them to dissolve.

~ Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Through the Lens of Inside Out

The Inside Out movies explain the complicated states of mind in a simple way. They remind us that feeling angry, scared, or anxious is normal. They are all a part of us.

It shows how learning how to manage our emotions allows us to live our lives with more self-acceptance and harmony.

If you haven’t already watched these movies, I highly recommend them. Watch Riley’s journey and reflect on how your emotions and beliefs shape your sense of self. Explore the opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you.