Adult Life Lessons From a Kids’ Movie: How “Soul” Helped Me Find Purpose

When is the last time you pressed pause during a busy day to do something like taking a stroll through a park, listening to a new album without checking your phone, or, if you’re lucky enough to be from a beachy place like I am, aimlessly burying your feet in the sand while you let the waves wash over you? My guess: not recently enough. I too used to be terrible at taking a moment to appreciate the small things in life…and then I watched Soul.

I almost feel silly crediting an animated movie with changing my life so profoundly, especially because I’ve slept on animation as an art form for quite some time. Like many people, I thought animated movies were just mindless fun and happy-go-lucky stories for children. Of course, many of you have long since acknowledged how Pixar movies have changed the game, striking the delicate balance between kid and adult fare. And now that Soul has opened my eyes in more ways than one, I can’t stop raving about this film. My family and friends have heard enough of my love for Pete Docter’s latest gem, so now I’m here to encourage you all to check it out and to share the life lessons that Soul helped me internalize.

Joe, the film’s protagonist, is brought to life by singer, pianist, and actor extraordinaire, Jamie Foxx. Infused with Jamie’s real-life abilities, Joe is overflowing with unused talent. Despite jazz being his reason for living, he rarely takes the time to savor and appreciate it. Watching the film, I found myself frustrated by Joe’s behavior – how could he be so oblivious? How could he let himself get so wrapped up in “adulting” that he never makes time to do what he loves? That he never shares his art with the world? Well, of course, it didn’t take me long to realize I was just like Joe.

Sure, like many people, I’m technically aware that I work and study too much; I’ve heard all the science about how breaks help productivity and how overwork can lead to exhaustion, but that doesn’t stop me from burning my candle at both ends. By the time I finished watching this sweet film, I was asking myself how I could have ever been so oblivious. Well played, Soul.

My days wouldn’t be complete without the moments I share with friends and family. And now, thanks to this movie, whenever I hear jazz or even just a piano, I’m reminded to prioritize those moments just as much as I prioritize my work.

What It Means to Have Purpose

In between moments of side-splitting humor delivered by the troubled Soul 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), the movie brilliantly illustrates that purpose is not associated with a job or your accomplishments. We have value simply because we exist. For me, this was an enlightening moment, and from the end credits onward, I promised myself that I would enjoy all life has to offer and not attach my purpose to accomplishments or careers.

After watching Soul, I had the ultimate light-bulb moment where I felt inspired and motivated to live differently. You know those moments when you get that random burst of energy to tackle that pile of laundry or clean your room? That’s exactly how I felt as I discovered that my purpose is to live life to the fullest and be a safe place for the people around me.

I know I’m not the only one who has struggled with finding their purpose, especially when societal expectations constantly bombard us. So, if you often feel purposeless, here’s the most critical lesson Soul taught me: this movie emphasized that we are enough in this world, regardless of our job or qualifications, and we should be able to spend our time engaging in anything meaningful to us. 

That sounds pretty simple, right? Although I sometimes experience moments of doubt, this way of living has allowed me to appreciate and be thankful for everything around me, even the little things. For instance, yes, the heat in Barbados can become quite extreme, but at the same time, the sun shining on my face positively affects my mental state, and I’m beyond thankful for that.

Animated Movies: They’re Not Just For Kids!

If you’re already an adult fan of animated movies, feel free to side-eye me as you read this. I deserve it. But yes, I have to admit I was one of those people who would never ever consider an animated movie when I sat down to watch a movie from my watchlist. And I certainly wasn’t alone! After all, my favorite genres are horror and drama, which are not typically associated with animation in the Western world. But people like the person I was before watching Soul have no idea what they’re missing out on!

From dark, mature, anime classics like Ghost in the Shell or Paprika to beautiful, artistic French animations like The Triplets of Belleville and Persepolis, there is something for everyone underneath the umbrella of animation.

The Big Picture

As director Bong Joon-ho famously quipped, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Well, now that Soul has converted me, I’d argue the same thing is true of animation; if you can let go of your expectations and biases, I am sure you’ll find an animated story that moves you just as much as your favorite Oscar-bait tearjerker. So my very last life lesson was that I’ve got a LOT of animated movies to add on ReSee! I can’t wait to uncover them all to find even more life lessons illustrated in vivid colors.