Inside Out 2: The relationship between Joy & Sadness

Hopefully, you’ve had the chance to see the latest Inside Out movie. If not, don’t worry—I won’t give away any major spoilers. 🙂

Inside Out 2 delves deeper into the intricate world of emotional development, focusing particularly on the relationship between Joy and Sadness.

At one point in the movie, Joy tells Sadness, “Wherever I go, you go,” extending her hand. This moment highlights a key lesson: the importance of accepting all emotions—whether positive, challenging, or uncomfortable. The film underscores the truth that our collective emotional experiences shape our sense of self.

If you’re in therapy or have been before, these insights might resonate with you. When faced with difficulties, it’s natural to want to avoid them. After all, life is tough, and we can only handle so much at once.

While avoidance can be a useful short-term strategy, eventually we need to confront difficult emotions to move forward. We can’t simply suppress the tough feelings while holding on to the positive ones; it’s an all-or-nothing situation.

This dynamic is beautifully illustrated in Joy and Sadness’ relationship—“wherever I go, you go.” Without Sadness, there would be no Joy. Experiencing sadness or grief signifies that we have loved or enjoyed something. Conversely, without Joy, we wouldn’t feel the loss of something meaningful. Sadness and Joy exist in a delicate balance, each necessary for a fulfilling life.

Additionally, observe Joy’s character design. Although predominantly yellow, Joy has blue eyes and blue hair—a color linked to Sadness. This detail symbolizes that Joy has always carried a piece of Sadness with her. We often try to simplify our emotions into single labels, but our emotional experiences are rarely so straightforward (e.g., bittersweet). Our emotional landscape is as complex as we are.

So remember:

• Avoidance can be a helpful short-term strategy.
• Emotions are complex, and their interplay is a fundamental part of who we are.
• We can’t selectively suppress our emotions; it’s an all-or-nothing experience.
• Without Sadness, there is no Joy!