Love the animation style and character design. I already conceptualized depressive feelings as a black dog, but a red fox for anxiety seems appropriate as well.
However, I wonder if projecting the unhelpful parts of yourself as a different being actually works as intended. Especially if you automatically consider the helpful parts of yourself as not separate.
It can help to create distance. For example, if you simply name a feeling, eg “I am feeling anxious right now”, it loses some intensity / urgency.
Imho this is because our emotional center are wired to take over our rational center to ensure survival. We can regain control but it takes time. Creating distance helps change perspective in that moment and short circuits the “I got to take action NOW” emotional path.
> However, I wonder if projecting the unhelpful parts of yourself as a different being actually works as intended.
I have used that technique to great success in many instances in my life. It's helped me to deal with relationship distress, bad habits, addiction, and personal growth. I highly recommend it as a generally applicable principle.
It allows you to work to kill or reduce the influence of that part of you without feeling like you are losing your identity. It allows you to negotiate with those parts to see if there is a compromise that allows both (all?) parts to have their needs met.
It's remarkably effective and I have never heard it discussed before in general. I'm very curious if it's common practice in psychotherapy in any way.
However, I wonder if projecting the unhelpful parts of yourself as a different being actually works as intended. Especially if you automatically consider the helpful parts of yourself as not separate.