Joy. Sadness. Fear. Disgust. Anger. Feelings that everyone, no matter what age, has felt over the course of their lives. As so many changes occur throughout one's life, sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them all, so we push our feelings aside in favor of keeping up a more positive image. Whether it’s to show others that we’re happy all the time, or to prove to ourselves that we’re okay, even when we’re not, happiness seems to take the lead in whichever outcome we are facing. We are taught from a young age to always look on the bright side of things, the glass is always half full, and everyone will get their happily ever after. And of course, if you’re a naturally optimistic person, that’s fine. But for someone who isn’t okay, for someone who faces issues like anxiety and mental illness, being told that everything will be okay, isn’t the answer they’re necessarily looking for.
Disney Pixar's "Inside Out" was unlike any Disney film I had watched before. It didn’t have an explicit happily ever after. There were no fairy godmothers, or princes, or even princesses. The movie for the most part, took place in an 11-year-old girl’s head. We were introduced to Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear, personified by colorful and lively cartoons, who all played integral roles in the daily life of Riley. And for the first time, I felt like I had never related more to a character then I had to Riley. Not only because I had to move across the country to California during my middle school years but because Riley solidified Pixar’s purpose behind making a film like "Inside Out," in order to show that it is okay not to be okay. And it is okay to feel like you are going through a hundred different emotions at once. To feel confused, to be angry, to feel fear and disgust, to be sad and happy at the same. And most of all, it is okay to ask for help.
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In the movie, we see that a lot Riley’s childhood has primarily been a happy one. Spending time with her family and learning how to play ice hockey have been encased in gold orbs to represent happiness. But as Riley gets older, her memories change from just happy to a mixture of other emotions. And while Joy believes that Riley’s entire life should be encased in happy gold orbs, it is Sadness that teaches us that loss and what people gain when guided by sadness is just as substantial for our growth and development. As we become apart of Joy and Sadness’ journey to get back to Headquarters from Long Term Memory, we are shown that "Inside Out" demonstrates that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and is instead, a depiction of strength.
Instead of considering our feelings that aren’t positive, invalid, it is crucial to recognize them. It is so important to give them purpose and face them head on no matter stuck we feel. We all have our own versions of Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger and they are there for a reason. Your feelings and thoughts are important. If you’re struggling, do not be afraid to ask for help because it only takes the chance that you give yourself to make a difference.
