Inside Out 2 certainly had me in my feels

If I had followed through on my childhood interests, I would have been one of three things: a doctor, a fashion designer or an animator. 

At a very young age, I was so fascinated with anatomy and physiology that my parents bought me a computer program that covered the topic in depth. This early interest in the human body sparked my curiosity about how things work, a curiosity that has stayed with me. 

My interests shifted more creatively during middle school. I had notebooks filled with sketches of different outfits, watched Project Runway religiously, and my mom even got me a sewing machine. 

But one interest that stayed with me throughout childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood has been computer animation. I’m not sure I have the chops to attempt it, but as an art form, I greatly appreciate the technicality and the amount of work it takes. 

I’ve seen so much from several studios, but Pixar’s work stands above the rest. My parents were also fans; until 2012, the only show we didn’t see in theaters was Cars 2. As a child, the movies were more entertaining than anything, but now, revisiting them as an adult, Pixar makes me think deeply and introspectively about myself and society. 

Up brings more intense feelings about life’s journey, especially now that I’m married. Wall-E makes me question consumerism and corporate monopolies. Ratatouille encourages me to follow my passions. The Incredibles warns me about dwelling on the past.

Inside Out has been a standout for me as someone interested in psychology. I dropped off from watching Pixar in theaters after 2012 for reasons both in and out of my control, but one that I made sure to see was Inside Out in 2015.

It got me thinking, “What would my headquarters look like? My emotions? Who would my lead emotion be?”

The emotions are self-explanatory: put some glasses and long brown wavy hair on them. The lead emotion would probably be Joy, but she gives each of the other emotions the chance to drive.

Headquarters probably has a coffee shop and background music at all times. The overall look is probably close to the Y2K aesthetic, with touches of retrofuturism and Frutiger Aero. Add neon lights everywhere, like the touches of neon in my office and house.

I was a little fascinated with Inside Out, so when Inside Out 2 was announced I knew I had to see it in theaters. I took my husband and niece to see it and they were both blown away.

I don’t want to spoil the movie, but it was a truly moving experience. The way the movie delved into concepts like identity, growing up and anxiety was not only accurate but also deeply relatable to my own childhood.

One of the concepts that Inside Out 2 explores beautifully is the ‘sense of self.’ In the movie, it’s portrayed as the idea that all our beliefs, experiences, and emotions come together to form a single, cohesive statement about who we are. 

For me, that statement is “I am creative.” I have to be for my line of work.

It’s a part of me that I’ve always known, but the movie helped me to articulate it. I’m grateful for this self-discovery and the role that Inside Out 2 played in it.