Inside Out 2 has just come out in cinemas, and it’s certainly one for the anxiety girlies. Several of my clients face anxiety daily and to finally feel seen by a cartoon character (or more importantly, the producer behind the film) is significant in today’s mental health crisis. The Inside Out 2 anxiety character is particularly noteworthy.
Inside out 2 anxiety character
Inside Out 2 introduces Anxiety, a blue character who feels worried all the time. “Oh, my gosh! I’m Anxiety. Where can I put my stuff?” is how she introduces herself. She has the nickname because the feeling of anxiety is the very first emotion to be formed in Riley’s mind ever since her toddler years.
Voiced by Maya Hawke, Riley navigates her teenage life while dealing with puberty. This level of anxiety is similar to what I felt when I became a teenager, as we have so much information to take in. Our bodies and hormones are changing for a start, and we have this pressure to decide our entire future.
Why we relate to anxiety
Anxiety is a nervous character – in blue – with some luggage to get off. It’s a metaphor for how much she carries on her shoulders. Inevitably, it weighs her down, the same way we allow our emotions to become overwhelming, which in turn makes us feel stressed and anxious.
She also takes control of the HQ and ‘bottles up’ the old emotions, a move reminiscent of Joy’s actions in the first movie. This is relatable for us anxious girlies because we often suppress our true emotions and choose not to share them. That’s why hiring a life coach changes lives – because we learn to open up and release those feelings.
How to cope with anxiety
Anxiety does not need to be bottled up. By writing down our feelings every morning and night, we are releasing them onto a page instead of keeping them tucked away inside. Other ways to cope with anxiety is by doing the following:
- Keeping a gratitude journal
- Meditating every morning and evening
- Speaking to a qualified life coach or therapist
- Opening up to friends and family
- Finding five things you can see, hear, smell, taste and feel
- Moving the anxiety into a physical movement eg yoga or running
Anxiety doesn’t have to become a main character in your life. After a while, you’ll still notice the anxiety is there, but you’ll find by following these coping tools that you’ll have a better understanding of how to tackle those overwhelming feelings.
Book a call with me here if you want to transform your life, going from anxious and lost, to peaceful and confident.