I cried so many times at this movie, but it was the panic attack scene that really got me. I left almost feeling sorry for my own anxiety? But mostly I left feeling pleased that kids today have such important messages shared with them in such a light hearted way
Also, I laughed when the closing credits showed anxiety returning for mum and dad. These kids really do bring that particular emotion (is anxiety and emotion?) out in us
Aw, I felt sorry for Anxiety too! It’s really a shift (and one that has happened in the field of psychology too) from making our difficult emotions the villain to now accepting them and meeting them with compassion (but still not letting them run the show). I agree, the dynamics of how all our parts meet all out kids parts…that’s a whole other article!
I really enjoyed this post. I saw this movie as well and heard more adult sobs than kids. So many gems here, but particularly the way anxiety can impact our beliefs about other people and the world around us. It's something I personally am working on. When the Anxiety character was chugging energy drinks, frantically trying to control the situation, my friend and I both turned to smile at each other. That is ME! It's a movie I really wish had been around when I was younger.
Great insights here! I also made my post this week about this (out tomorrow) and I shared how I love that they depicted a panic attack as the emotion frantically catastrophizing and creating a tornado, and becoming frozen in the center of it, because damn if that isnt exactly how it feels on the inside!!
And even better, they showed how Riley overcame a panic attack, through deep breathing and grounding in the present moment. Riley touched the bench she sat on, listened for the skating on the ice, felt the sun on her face - all to get present and allow the other emotions to get Anxiety away from the dashboard. And the Best part - Riley then called upon Joy to take control of her mind!
It's the first time Riley called upon an emotion rather than the emotions taking control on their own - and it showcases how we can gain control. It's a practice and we have to work on it. We can call upon gratitude and joy when we need to. Oh, I just loved it!!
Check out my pay coming out tomorrow for a deeper description. Thanks for sharing this. 👍
I really appreciated how they depicted anxiety! The part about anxiety thinking it’s protecting was spot on. I also really appreciated how they illustrated the shift in her core beliefs which, as we know, can inform our behavior. I thought it was so well done and that many folks can have a better understanding of their mind. I also think I want to share this article with clients new to my therapy practice regarding anxiety. You did such a beautiful job articulating this concept! I try and give “homework” to clients that just consists of podcasts and Substack 🤪Thanks for sharing this 😊
Oh that makes me so happy 🥰 I am almost done condensing a few of my articles into downloads that summarize the main points, to make available to subscribers. I’ve done one with acceptance and self compassion, and I will do the third one on anxiety 👍
Thank you so much for writing this Amber, I really enjoyed reading it and mulling over all the brilliant ways that this film is absolute pure genius! I cried towards the end (I can’t remember now which bit), it really got me and had to try so hard not to sob loudly and embarrass my kids! 😭🙈😆
The whole thing was just fantastic and I think I was also crying happy tears (tears of relief too) about how wonderful it is that we now have such extensive knowledge about our emotions and kids are starting to learn this too. It gives me so much joy and hope for the future 🧡
Thanks for reading Eva! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m also so glad this generation of kiddos has these opportunities to learn about their emotions. And as parents, we have some many more tools to help teach and support them. Have you seen Orion and the Dark? I loved that one too!
Thanks for this. I am currently finalizing my own piece about the character Anxiety and my experience with it in the context of chronic pain which are deeply connected according to the research.
I cried so many times at this movie, but it was the panic attack scene that really got me. I left almost feeling sorry for my own anxiety? But mostly I left feeling pleased that kids today have such important messages shared with them in such a light hearted way
Also, I laughed when the closing credits showed anxiety returning for mum and dad. These kids really do bring that particular emotion (is anxiety and emotion?) out in us
Aw, I felt sorry for Anxiety too! It’s really a shift (and one that has happened in the field of psychology too) from making our difficult emotions the villain to now accepting them and meeting them with compassion (but still not letting them run the show). I agree, the dynamics of how all our parts meet all out kids parts…that’s a whole other article!
I really enjoyed this post. I saw this movie as well and heard more adult sobs than kids. So many gems here, but particularly the way anxiety can impact our beliefs about other people and the world around us. It's something I personally am working on. When the Anxiety character was chugging energy drinks, frantically trying to control the situation, my friend and I both turned to smile at each other. That is ME! It's a movie I really wish had been around when I was younger.
Great insights here! I also made my post this week about this (out tomorrow) and I shared how I love that they depicted a panic attack as the emotion frantically catastrophizing and creating a tornado, and becoming frozen in the center of it, because damn if that isnt exactly how it feels on the inside!!
And even better, they showed how Riley overcame a panic attack, through deep breathing and grounding in the present moment. Riley touched the bench she sat on, listened for the skating on the ice, felt the sun on her face - all to get present and allow the other emotions to get Anxiety away from the dashboard. And the Best part - Riley then called upon Joy to take control of her mind!
It's the first time Riley called upon an emotion rather than the emotions taking control on their own - and it showcases how we can gain control. It's a practice and we have to work on it. We can call upon gratitude and joy when we need to. Oh, I just loved it!!
Check out my pay coming out tomorrow for a deeper description. Thanks for sharing this. 👍
I also loved the movie. The bit about anxiety being frozen and glitching in a whirl of activity…. I felt seen.
This part gripped me! I just wrote about it here:
My piece in anxiety and pain was published today:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chronicpainchats/p/anxiety-is-not-just-an-emotion?r=2u7q6o&utm_medium=ios
I am saving this to read when my kids are asleep but I just had to say that this movie blew me away.
I pulled my phone out so many times to take notes and it just made such complex emotions so simple to understand.
I really appreciated how they depicted anxiety! The part about anxiety thinking it’s protecting was spot on. I also really appreciated how they illustrated the shift in her core beliefs which, as we know, can inform our behavior. I thought it was so well done and that many folks can have a better understanding of their mind. I also think I want to share this article with clients new to my therapy practice regarding anxiety. You did such a beautiful job articulating this concept! I try and give “homework” to clients that just consists of podcasts and Substack 🤪Thanks for sharing this 😊
Oh that makes me so happy 🥰 I am almost done condensing a few of my articles into downloads that summarize the main points, to make available to subscribers. I’ve done one with acceptance and self compassion, and I will do the third one on anxiety 👍
Thank you so much for writing this Amber, I really enjoyed reading it and mulling over all the brilliant ways that this film is absolute pure genius! I cried towards the end (I can’t remember now which bit), it really got me and had to try so hard not to sob loudly and embarrass my kids! 😭🙈😆
The whole thing was just fantastic and I think I was also crying happy tears (tears of relief too) about how wonderful it is that we now have such extensive knowledge about our emotions and kids are starting to learn this too. It gives me so much joy and hope for the future 🧡
Thanks for reading Eva! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m also so glad this generation of kiddos has these opportunities to learn about their emotions. And as parents, we have some many more tools to help teach and support them. Have you seen Orion and the Dark? I loved that one too!
Thanks for this. I am currently finalizing my own piece about the character Anxiety and my experience with it in the context of chronic pain which are deeply connected according to the research.
I will keep an eye out for your article @Mara Baer!
My piece on anxiety and pain was published today:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chronicpainchats/p/anxiety-is-not-just-an-emotion?r=2u7q6o&utm_medium=ios
Saving this to read after I see the movie next week!
Can’t wait to hear what you think ☺️ Wishing you safe and happy travels Christine!