When you grow up, you feel less joy.

"I guess that’s what happens when you grow up, you feel less joy."

When I first watched Inside Out at the age of nine, it was a delightful adventure into the mind of a young girl named Riley, filled with colorful characters like Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. Joy, with her radiant sparkle and infectious energy, was my favorite. She made everything feel brighter and happier, and to my young mind, she seemed to be the only important emotion.

As I grew older, I started to understand the deeper layers of the film. My inner child feels like it was just yesterday, yet time has flown by faster than I ever imagined. Now, at eighteen, I find myself reflecting on where all that time went. One moment, I was a kid laughing at Joy’s antics; the next, I’m navigating the complexities of adulthood.

Life moved quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the world became more complicated.

The announcement of Inside Out 2 coming out in 2024 brought a wave of excitement. Despite being labeled as a children's movie, the first film holds a special place in my heart. My younger self from 2015 might mock me for watching "child’s stuff," but the new movie promises to delve even deeper into the emotional landscape by introducing new emotions like Embarrassment, Ennui, Envy, and Anxiety.

It feels as though the movie has grown up with us, waiting for the right time to release a sequel that reflects our more mature understanding of emotions. Inside Out 2 is poised to resonate with us on a deeper level, acknowledging that we needed time to fully grasp the first movie's message.

This deeper exploration was something I never expected to make me shed tears. A poignant line from the movie struck a chord with me: "I don’t know how to stop anxiety, maybe it’s true that when you grow old, you’ll feel less happy." It made me realize that growing up means accepting that joy isn't the only important emotion. It's perfectly normal to feel anxious, scared, and to recognize that life is not solely about happiness.

Growing up teaches us that all emotions are essential. Joy isn't the only emotion that matters; all our feelings deserve to be felt, even the difficult ones. It's okay to feel anxious or scared because these emotions are part of what makes us human. They make us unique and beautiful.

"We are all a mix of emotions, and that’s what makes us unique and beautiful."

Emotions are not just abstract concepts in our heads; they are real and vital to our existence. They shape our worldview and our connections with others. Inside Out illustrated that our feelings are integral to who we are. They are not something to hide or suppress but are the heartbeats of our experiences, guiding us through life’s highs and lows.

So, let’s give ourselves permission to feel all our emotions deeply. Embracing and cherishing our feelings is a beautiful part of being alive. By accepting our emotions, we learn to navigate them, rather than avoiding them. This journey of emotional acceptance is a crucial part of growing up.

The beauty of Inside Out lies in its ability to convey complex emotional truths through a simple, child-friendly narrative. It reminds us that our emotions are valid and necessary. As we transition from childhood to adulthood, the lessons from Inside Out become even more relevant. The sequel, Inside Out 2, promises to continue this journey, helping us to understand and embrace the full spectrum of our emotions.

In conclusion, growing up with Inside Out has been a journey of emotional discovery. The movie taught us that joy, while wonderful, is not the only important emotion. All our feelings, whether they bring happiness or discomfort, contribute to the rich tapestry of our lives. Inside Out 2 is not just a sequel for kids; it's a continuation of a story that speaks to the emotional experiences of growing up. Let’s embrace all our emotions and recognize the beauty they bring to our lives.