I recently sat down with my family to stream the recently released sequel of the critically acclaimed Disney movie, Inside Out 2.
To say this animated feature film perfectly encapsulated how our mind can betray us is an understatement. I was deeply moved due to how the emotions depicted by the main characters so seamlessly illustrated how anxiety can take hold of our mind and suppress our sense of self, just as it did for me just a few years ago.
I won’t spoil the main story arc of the film (although I will still leave a SPOILER ALERT here), but rather I am going to touch on the key points as they pertain to the human mind and its many emotions.
These were the important takeaways from the film that deeply resonated with me.
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Anxiety can lead to suppressed emotions
As was so perfectly depicted in the film, anxiety is a fear of the unknown.
It is a fear of future events that truly may never manifest itself as reality.
However, due to this fear, anxiety will do all it can to protect us from these events ever taking place.
Thus, it puts us in fight or flight mode, always on the defensive and therefore unable to experience any of the joy around us.
As is exactly explained by the main character, Joy, these events may never actually happen and so our focus should remain on what is in our control.
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Anxiety can affect our sense of self
In trying to protect ourselves from any and all future dangers, the anxious mind focuses only on thoughts that will protect us.
These thoughts of impending doom do just the opposite, and the constant fixation with straying away from dangers that likely will never come to fruition keep us from realizing our true self.
In turn, as was so perfectly depicted in the film, the main character’s values turned from “I am a good person” to “I am not good enough”.
I am not good enough comes from not realizing our full potential due to the constant need to stay on the defensive, and keep away from any potential dangers that may (but likely will not) happen.
As I sat watching this part of the film, my mind wandered to the very moment a few years ago where that very statement, I am not good enough, burned into my brain with a deep resilience.
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The filmmakers did a superb job of depicting what I am sure is going on in the minds of many, especially our young physicians in training.
Thus, if you haven’t, please give it a watch.
What you will learn is that the anxious mind, if allowed to take root, will destroy your true sense of self and keep you away from realizing your full potential.
Anxiety is a fear of the unknown, a fear of events that will likely never happen.
Focus on what you can control: your effort, your study habits, and bringing your best you to each and every day.
It takes time, but I know from personal experience and with help from my psychologist that anxiety can be properly managed.
We shouldn’t try to completely rid ourselves of it; as is depicted in the film, it is only trying to protect us.
Focus on what you can control: your effort, your study habits, and bringing your best you to each and every day.
Anxiety, however, cannot lead the way.
Be your best you, and I promise you that is always more than enough.
You are enough.
