Stacey Uhrig is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Speaker, and Host of the podcast "Flip That Sh!t." She specializes in understanding the impact of childhood and developmental trauma on adults and helps individuals break free from these emotional wounds.
Inside Out 2 is back, and it's a delightful dive into the vibrant world inside the main character Riley's mind. As a professional deeply involved in understanding emotions, core beliefs, memories, and the sense of self, I found this movie to be an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way. It's not just an entertaining watch—it's a profound experience that will resonate with anyone interested in personal growth and emotional healing.
Plot summary
Riley is growing up, and with new challenges come new emotions. Inside Out 2 expands on the original by introducing fresh, emotion-based characters and more profound, complex scenarios. Riley's journey will tug at your heartstrings and make you reflect on your own emotional landscape. These characters are not just figments of imagination but reflections of our own emotional experiences, making the journey even more relatable.
Parts work and emotions
The movie vividly depicts how our diverse emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Anxiety, Envy, and additional characters—collaborate and sometimes compete to shape our experiences. Initially, these emotions struggle to cooperate, with Joy firmly advocating for happiness to always prevail. She frequently attempts to dominate the control panel, disregarding the other emotions to ensure Riley's happiness. This dynamic reflects the common internal conflict we all experience when prioritizing one emotion over others, leading to imbalance, inner turmoil, and angst.
In Inside Out 2, Anxiety is introduced as a new character, asserting itself as Riley's steadfast companion. Alongside Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, Anxiety believes it understands Riley best and often attempts to seize control, thinking it is acting in her best interest. However, this can sometimes hinder Riley rather than assist her, showcasing our emotions' intricate and complex nature.
This concept closely resonates with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work, integral to my client's work. In IFS, each part of our psyche plays a role and believes it acts in our best interest. For instance, Anxiety might manifest to shield us from perceived threats, but in doing so, it may dominate and limit our full engagement with life. Similarly, Anger may think it's protecting us from harm, while Joy may strive to maintain happiness at any cost. Understanding these aspects and their good intentions is pivotal to healthily integrating them.
When a specific part, such as Anxiety, takes control of the "control panel," it can trigger distinct responses in our nervous system. According to polyvagal theory, our nervous system comprises three primary states: safe and social, fight or flight, and shutdown. When Anxiety gains control, it often activates the fight or flight response, leading to physiological changes like increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and heightened alertness. While this state is intended to safeguard us from danger, chronic activation of this response can result in chronic stress, burnout, and autoimmune issues.
Moreover, when emotions like Anxiety take charge, they often bring along behaviors like people-pleasing, lack of boundary setting, and deprioritizing oneself. The intention is always benevolent—to protect us from disconnect, isolation, and being alone, for example. Though with good intentions, these behaviors can lead to extreme burnout and even panic attacks, as the individual constantly sacrifices their needs to manage perceived threats and maintain external harmony.
Inside Out 2 compellingly portrays these shifts. When Anxiety assumes control, Riley's behavior and physiological responses change, effectively showcasing to the audience the profound interconnection between our emotions and nervous system. Understanding this connection is vital for effectively managing our feelings and embarking on a path toward healing.
Core beliefs and memories
Inside Out 2 beautifully illustrates how our core beliefs are formed and how they influence our lives. The movie portrays how Riley's core memories play a crucial role in the story, demonstrating how pivotal moments shape who we are. Memories formed before age 12 are mainly foundational in developing our core beliefs. These memories and subsequent beliefs create the lens through which we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.
The film suggests that revisiting and understanding these memories can reshape our core beliefs and change how we feel and act. For example, a joyful memory might instill a belief that the world is safe, while a painful memory might lead to the belief that one must always be on guard. Inside Out 2 highlights the significance of these formative experiences, demonstrating that our current reactions and behaviors are often rooted in these early beliefs.
The process of revisiting and reinterpreting these core memories is crucial. Riley's journey shows us that confronting and understanding these pivotal moments can lead to profound personal growth and healing. It's not just a journey but a possible transformation for each of us. It's a powerful reminder that our past experiences, even those we might prefer to forget, are integral to our identity and growth.
Sense of self
As a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, I utilize Rapid Transformational Therapy as a tool under hypnosis to guide people in exploring how their core beliefs were formed, which is the "what" happened. Through this process, individuals can understand why their limiting beliefs developed and learn how to reframe them to create new, empowering core beliefs. This is a transformative journey, as our core beliefs form the foundation of our sense of self. When we change these beliefs, it can be life-changing.
The movie beautifully illustrates this journey back to self. Riley often feels lost and distanced from herself, which mirrors the experiences of many who feel stuck or disconnected. Inside Out 2 demonstrates that our sense of self can be removed and sent to a faraway space, but it also shows that we can reclaim and reintegrate these parts of ourselves. This resonates deeply with the journey of self-discovery and healing as individuals work to get "back to self" when they feel lost in life.
Insights from a trauma-trained lens
Inside Out 2 offers valuable insights from a trauma-informed perspective. The movie emphasizes the importance of validating all our emotions and recognizing that each plays a role in our well-being. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Anxiety, for example, are not just arbitrary feelings; they are essential parts of our internal ecosystem. By acknowledging and integrating these emotions, we can achieve a more balanced and authentic sense of self. These insights are not only interesting, but they can also be life-changing.
The film also highlights the significance of core beliefs and how they shape our perceptions and interactions with the world. Understanding and reworking these beliefs can lead to profound personal transformation. This aligns with trauma recovery work, where revisiting and reframing past experiences is crucial for healing and growth.
Moreover, Inside Out 2 visually represents the polyvagal theory in action. When Riley experiences different emotions, her physiological responses change, reflecting the shifts in her nervous system states. This illustrates the connection between our emotional experiences and physical responses in the body, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches to emotional well-being.
In my practice, I help clients navigate their inner worlds, similar to Riley's in the movie. Individuals can embark on self-discovery and healing by using tools like hypnosis, parts work, and understanding core beliefs. Inside Out 2 is a beautiful metaphor for this process, showing that it's possible to reclaim and integrate all parts of ourselves for a more fulfilling life.
In conclusion, Inside Out 2 goes beyond being just a sequel; it delves into the depths of the human psyche. Its captivating plot and relatable characters impart important lessons on emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Whether you're a mental health professional or on your path to healing, this movie offers a profound and enlightening view of the intricacies of the mind. From screen to self, it's a journey you will want to take advantage of
Read more from Stacey Uhrig
Stacey Uhrig, Trauma Recovery Coach (C-Hyp, RTT-P)
Stacey Uhrig is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Speaker, and Host of the podcast "Flip That Sh!t." She specializes in understanding the impact of childhood and developmental trauma on adults and helps individuals break free from these emotional wounds. Stacey equips her 1:1 clients in her private practice with practical tools and insights to reframe their narratives, fostering greater joy and connection in their lives. Using modalities like Hypnosis and Rapid Transformational Therapy, she helps clients gain clarity and self-empowerment, enabling them to find peace and purpose in their healing journey.
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