Inside Out 3: The Rise and Fall of Fear and Doubt
Fan fiction based on the Pixar films Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Semi-biographical, but keeping our focus on Riley.
Riley is now 55 years old and has just left her big corporate America job to start her own business. She has the skills and know-how to make it a big success. But will Fear and Doubt sabotage her efforts?
Riley knew that she should finish that proposal to lock in her first paying client, but she just seemed stuck. Everything was a distraction. Progress was not just slow—it was non-existent.
Fear: What if it’s too much money? What if they don’t like me? What if I do a bad job and then they don’t want to pay me?
Doubt: This will never work. They’re not that interested in me and my service. Why did we think this was a good idea?Fear and Doubt were behind her procrastination—but what could she do?
Why Fear and Doubt Hold Us Back
If Riley’s struggle feels familiar, it’s because you, like me, have lived it too. Whenever I catch myself procrastinating on something important, I almost always find Fear and Doubt lurking in the background.
Carmela, a friend, recently put it perfectly: “New levels, new devils.” Every time we push beyond our comfort zone, Fear and Doubt show up to test us. But why do they have so much power?
Fear and Doubt don’t come from nowhere—they’re shaped by our past experiences. Over time, we develop mental filters that shape how we see ourselves and the world.
For me, Doubt has always been the louder voice, likely rooted in my experience growing up as a Gen X latchkey kid with little adult supervision or support. I internalized the belief that my voice and time didn’t really matter. The filter I constantly battle is the false idea that no one is interested in what I have to say or do. Logically, I know this isn’t true, but rewiring that instinct takes effort.
We don’t have to remember the specifics for these filters to jump in and do their job. In Inside Out, Riley had special memories that were stored for future retrieval, but these were only the most impactful moments. Not all memories land in the Core Memories library. So what happens to the rest of them?
In Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters, Dr. Charan Ranganath shares the difference between episodic memory and semantic memory.
Episodic memories are those we can recall (albeit with flawed accuracy).
Semantic memory shapes who we are—even when we can’t recall exactly where the idea came from.
For example, I don’t remember the exact moment I was taught how to tie my shoes, but I’m quite the expert at it now. The learning is etched in my bones, even though the episode itself is forgotten.
For some, Fear and Doubt are loud and obvious. But as Alain pointed out in a recent conversation, sometimes we don’t even recognize them until we’re in the middle of the fight for what we truly want.
In my case, Doubt is whispering in my ear: “Why bother? It won’t make a difference.” Sometimes Fear chimes in: “They’re going to be mad at you.” While I can acknowledge that they are trying to protect me, listening to them would be far more harmful.
At 55 years old, Fear and Doubt have had a long time to grow roots, reinforcing old patterns. But our brains are adaptable—wired for survival, not boldness. Thanks to neuroplasticity, every time we challenge Fear and Doubt instead of obeying them, we weaken their hold and rewire our minds for confidence and action.
Three Strategies to Silence Fear & Doubt
Laura shared something that really struck me. "My whole life has been ruled by fear! The only way I got beyond it was by walking THROUGH it. Not over, around, or under it."
That’s been true for me too. Avoiding Fear only makes it stronger. Facing it, even when uncomfortable, is the only way forward.
Depending on the situation, I have three different strategies to silence Fear and Doubt. Sometimes, I need all three.
1. The Backseat Method
My first strategy comes from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, where she talks about Fear. Her approach? She tell Fear, ‘Of COURSE you are coming on this road trip with me and Creativity. But you are NOT driving or giving directions.’
Carmela reminded me that this passage resonates with so many of us. We don’t fight Fear—we make space for it, but never let it take control.
Since starting my own business, I’ve come to recognize Doubt as another version of Fear—just in disguise. So, for my purposes, they are a matched set. They both get sent to the backseat!
This is what I imagined when John shared "When those thoughts come up, I observe and dismiss them before they snowball into destructive anxiety or depression." This keeps John in control, moving forward instead of getting stuck.
2. Trusting Faith Over Fear
Sometimes, I need to lean in a little deeper and bring Faith into the conversation.
Faith reminds me that things generally work out for the best. Progress may be shaky, but it always comes. She reminds me of all the obstacles I have overcome as proof that I, supported by my community and network, always persevere.
3. Seeking a Trusted Advisor
Faith may also remind me when it’s time for the third strategy, asking a trusted advisor.
Growing up as a latchkey kid meant not having access to support when I needed it. But as an adult, I know that support is there if I ask. People feel honored when asked for help, so why wouldn’t I let someone share their perspective with me?
Inviting others into our struggles can provide perspective and guidance. They can give us the confidence we need to take that next step or help us brainstorm improvements that strengthen our approach.
This is one reason why having a network of supportive friends and peers is so important.
Today, when I hear Fear and Doubt whispering in my ear, I recognize them for the lifetime filters that they are—and send them to the backseat. I call Faith or a trusted friend to help me move forward when needed.
Since this was her first proposal, Riley knew it was time to call in her secret weapon: Coach Faith, her trusted mentor and longtime supporter.
As she dialed the number, she couldn’t help but smile—Faith was exactly what she needed right now, in more ways than one.
Coach Faith: “Send me what you have so far, and I’ll take a look. Are you free for lunch tomorrow? I’d love to catch up and can give you any feedback and guidance then. It is so good to hear from you, Riley!”
Final Thoughts
Fear and Doubt will always be there—but they don’t get to drive. With Faith, trusted advisors, and conscious action, we always find a way forward.
Please help me in thanking Carmela, Alain, Laura, and John for sharing their thoughts!
What About You?
Have you battled Fear and Doubt in your own journey? Share your experience in the comments or join our subscriber chat to keep the conversation going. Let’s learn from each other!
Sometimes it's enough for me just to "name it" when I'm feeling anxious, so I consciously address something that's going on beneath the surface. The phrase that's been helpful to me is "this is a projection of my fear" but I love the idea of engaging with my parts as Inside Out characters!
Also, not sure if you've come across the idea of Internal Family Systems (IFS) but it's kind of the clinical version of Inside Out, super interesting and helpful!
Testing doubt is the key to progress. When we challenge our uncertainties, we shift the outcome from just doubt to measurable results whether it's failure or success.
If you fail, you try again. And always remember: you lose 100% of the opportunities you don't take."
"Doubt fades when we dare to test it; the only true failure is never trying."