Navigating An Emotional Storm
Pixar's 'Inside Out' might give you and your teen both some insight into what's going on
Teenagers. The word itself conjures images of slamming doors, eye rolls, and a constant emotional rollercoaster. But what's really going on inside their heads? Disney Pixar's ‘Inside Out’ offers a surprisingly insightful look at the world of emotions, and it's a perfect tool for parents to connect with their teens on a deeper level.
The film follows Riley, an 11-year-old girl whose emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—take centre stage. As Riley enters adolescence and moves to a new city, her once-joyful world is turned upside down. This relatable journey mirrors the emotional upheaval teenagers experience.
Here's what Inside Out teaches us about teenage mental health:
It's Okay to Not Be Okay: Society often tells teens to "just be happy." ‘Inside Out’ beautifully portrays the importance of all emotions—including sadness. It showed us suppressing sadness can hinder growth and healing. Seeing Sadness as a necessary part of Riley's emotional well-being opens a conversation for teens. It can give them permission to acknowledge their sadness and navigate it healthily.
Change is Hard: Moving, changing schools, developing new relationships —these are all common challenges teenagers face. ‘Inside Out’ depicts the struggle to adapt to change, something teens can identify with as things start to rapidly change for them—as they change schools, lose and gain friends, and their bodies start to change. Watching Riley grapple with these issues can open a dialogue about the anxieties and frustrations teens might be experiencing.
A Spectrum of Emotions: The film portrays a wide range of emotions beyond just happy and sad. Anger, fear, and disgust all play a role in Riley's journey. This helps teens understand the complexity of their own emotions and validates their feelings. In the film, we see how memories can be a mixture of emotions—how we can experience happiness and sadness simultaneously, as an example.
So why should I watch Inside Out with my teenager?
A few reasons. A lot of parents I work with tell me they are struggling to connect with their adolescent child, and they don’t seem to be on the same page at all. Part of this is a misunderstanding about what it is like to be a teenager, and how your teenager views you. As much as you might feel in touch, the world has changed a lot. So, this is why I think you ought to:
Opens Communication: The film acts as a springboard for important conversations about mental health. It can help teens feel comfortable expressing their emotions and encourage open communication with parents. In the film, when Joy was able to hear and understand the views of others—mainly Sadness—and that helped her grow and heal. Being able to be openly sad also helped Riley reconnect with her parents, and to reconnect with the parts of herself that became scary. This is all new to your average teenage emotional landscape.
Reduces Stigma: Talking about mental health can feel scary for teens. ‘Inside Out’ normalises the experience and reduces the stigma associated with mental health struggles, in quite a light-hearted and non-threatening way. How Riley experiences a full spectrum of emotions, including disconnecting from them entirely, and then being able to open up to her parents can be a powerful message for teens.
Empathy and Understanding: Parents can gain valuable insight into the emotional turmoil teenagers face. Seeing the world through their teen's eyes can foster empathy and understanding. It is okay—and important—to start from the position that you are ignorant because your adolescence and their adolescence are poles apart. Being humble about this is also a way to connect with your teen.
Inside Out isn't just a fun movie; it's a valuable tool for navigating the complexities of teenage emotions. So grab some popcorn, cuddle up on the couch, and get ready for a journey into the wonderful, messy world of your teenager's mind.
Can you help me?
Absolutely! I am experienced in teaching emotional literacy to teenagers, how to feel and understand their own emotions and how this can support their increased mental health as part of growing self-awareness. I am also experienced in coaching parents through building stronger relationships with their teenagers, who are changing before their eyes. I can talk to you about practising active listening, reflection, paraphrasing and entering imaginatively into the life of your teenager.
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Final thoughts
‘Inside Out’, used correctly, can be much more than a charming film about personified emotions. If used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for nurturing your teenager’s mental well-being by helping them understand what is going on in their head. By incorporating the show's understanding of teenage emotions into your understanding, you can be a more emotionally intelligent parent.
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