We believe in the power of real stories.
For this issue on "A Song / Book / Movie That Changed My Mood", we have handpicked a user story for its genuine emotional truth. This collection is about the echoes of a soul, not the mechanics of writing. Let's dive in and witness how a movie became a mirror, offering the courage to heal.
Meet the author of this submission:
Last month, I was trapped in a terrible low: I'd drag myself out of bed only to stare at the wall, lose interest in my favorite books, and even cry over tiny, silly things. One rainy Saturday afternoon, I curled up on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through streaming apps, and stumbled upon "Inside Out 2". I clicked it without much hope — just looking for something to drown out the noise in my head.
What I didn't expect was how quickly the movie would wrap around my heart. When Riley, the main character, started panicking over new emotions like Anxiety, I froze. That's exactly how I felt: like a mess of jumbled fears, too scared to admit I wasn't "fine". I watched as Anxiety tried so hard to "keep Riley safe" that it made her overthink every move — and suddenly, I saw myself. I'd been pushing down all my hard feelings, thinking they made me weak, but the movie said something different: those messy emotions? They're just part of being human.
The turning point hit when Riley finally stopped fighting her feelings and let herself say, "This is hard." In that moment, I felt a weight lift off my chest. I'd been blaming myself for being sad, like I was failing at "being happy." But "Inside Out 2" told me it's okay to not be okay. By the end credits, I was smiling through tears. I got up, made myself a cup of tea, and even texted a friend to say I'd been struggling.
That rainy afternoon, this little movie didn't just make me laugh — it pulled me out of my slump. It reminded me that feeling low isn't forever, and that healing starts with letting yourself feel, not hiding.
No grand essays, just real feelings. This is the Shanbay WriteLab spirit.
Did you find a piece of your own story in this submission? Tell us which moment hit you hardest in the comments below! We are also curious about your world and want to know what topics or prompts are you itching to write about? Share your ideas and let's exchange some inspiration for our next real stories.