Finding Self-Acceptance Through Frozen: Why Elsa's Story Resonates with Us Perfectionist Introverts

Winter comes, snow falls, and immediately, Frozen is on my mind. In fact, on our accidental winter break due to the raging snow outside, that was one non-negotiable thing. We had to watch Frozen 1, 2, and all the shorts that accompany the movie. Maybe it's because I understand the princesses for who they are. Perhaps it's because I love the castle and the story stays with me. Regardless, tis the season. Maybe it's because I'm actually frozen up here in the cold weather, battling inches of snow on the ground, contemplating whether I should actually make an effort to shovel or if I should just run over whatever is in the driveway at full speed and hope for the best. Regardless, it's Frozen season, and we're talking about the queen herself, Elsa.

The woman was strong from the beginning. It was clear to me that the anxiety bug plagued her hardcore. She refused to be held hostage by the tears she held inside her. There were simply too many things to do. A sister to care for, even if it was from afar, an entire kingdom that would be hers. All along, she was struggling with a sense of self. Elsa was in pain. She was in pain every day, and the world was looking up to her to fix them. So she did what she thought best: she looked to isolate herself, to remove herself from the trauma and the pain to deal with what she was going through on her own. She needed to regain the sense of self that she needed so much to survive and feel like herself.

That immense fear and loss of control was impossible for her. It was not who she was as a bit of a perfectionist (did you catch how organized she was the entire movie, heck, BOTH movies), and this was a flaw for her. The worst possible thing she could be was flawed. That was not in the cards. But alas, here we are, neglecting parts of ourselves, trying to keep them hidden until they just blow up because we're insecure about them, only to hurt someone we truly love.

Girl, I see you. I see the hard times you were going through and the face you felt the need to put on so that everyone else was okay all the time. Then, one day, that face was too much. That running you did was too much. But as much as this story is about sisterly love on the outside, on the inside, this is a self-care love story.

I would know.

There are parts of me that I want to keep hidden. The sensitive perfectionist who is utterly introverted and cautious around every turn. However, on the outside, I am strong; I can always handle everything that comes my way. Family stuff, work stuff, trying to keep up with everything all the time, yup, that's me. I just implode until I get back into myself, slowly falling apart at every turn. Yet, I have to release it to not hurt someone I don't mean to hurt. Those soul-related injuries cut deep; they fracture relationships that I intend to keep intact.

The repercussion is to cause no more pain, to isolate myself. Be alone, relish in the solitude, and let it blow over, if you will. In many ways, this is helpful, but does it mend, or is it only a Band-Aid? Mending is what makes it not continue, a genuine shift. A reminder to love myself enough to step away from situations that only hurt me and accept all the parts of myself, even if they are difficult to deal with. I am me, and all my parts make me who I am, and I deserve love. Like Elsa.

On this snowy day, I call out to remember that you can not just let it go. No, that's so 2024 of you (haha, I had to). You can embrace it because that's who you are, and you, my dear, are beautiful. I'm sending you a virtual hug and lots of love. Love and acceptance—that's what we really need.

Xoxo

Brittney