Fast forward to two months later, I’m at a concert with my sister, singing, dancing, and most importantly, cheers-ing our overpriced drinks to the plot. I still felt like a side character, but viewing my current circumstances as plot twists–rather than dead ends–was the beginning of the mindset I needed to adopt to help me cope. From that evening on, we continued to celebrate the plot, and slowly, I began to feel like I was the main character in my own life. 

What Is Main Character Energy?

A phrase that’s garnering attention across all of the social media platforms, “main character energy” is one of the evergreen phenomenons people are following to begin romanticizing their own lives. Main character energy is what’s used to describe those who exude self-confidence, authenticity, and a strong sense of self as if they’re the protagonist of their own page-turning novel or film.

Understanding Main Character Energy

The concept of main character energy began all the way back in 2020 after people around the world experienced isolation from their friends and loved ones for months on end. What began as posts on TikTok featuring a series of idyllic photos from users’ daily lives–including imagery ranging from aesthetically pleasing coffee pictures to their rainy day reads while classical audio plays softly in the background–has now become a trend with a running theme that many people are channeling in their daily life. 

As this phrase began to gain popularity, people were encouraged to start romanticizing their lives–the good, the bad, and even the boring moments. Whether you’re brewing a coffee at home, walking through the aisles of your favorite bookstores, or even grocery shopping, looking at these moments with a new lens of appreciation and admiration for your beautiful life is what main character energy supports at its core.

Characteristics Of Main Character Energy

When someone is channeling this energy, they’re living their life with authenticity and confidence. They’re going through their daily routines with a sense of purpose and are living as the protagonist of their own story, rather than merely a supporting character. 

While every main character has their own distinctive set of quirks, many people who embody main characters are confident in their own skin and they embrace their uniqueness, rather than conceal it. They approach even the toughest challenges with optimism as they look for opportunities within each trial. They’re actively participating in their own personal growth and development through self-reflection, continuous learning, or fostering healthy relationships. They’re staying true to themselves and their beliefs rather than giving in to pressures from peers, family, and society.

Most importantly, however, main characters are taking charge of their lives. Instead of sitting on the couch watching the years go by, they’re celebrating every minute they have on this earth.  

The Power Of Perspective 

Channeling main character energy in your own life can lead you to personal empowerment. This mindset helps you to foster confidence and authenticity, while also inspiring you to take a proactive approach to life. 

Main characters embrace their individuality and express themselves, their thoughts, and their ideas authentically, without fear of judgment. They see obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning, which in turn, enables them to navigate difficulties with a positive and empowered attitude. Adopting main character energy can inspire you to proactively seek opportunities and make decisions assertively, leading to a more empowered, fulfilling life.

How To Be The Main Character In Your Life

Nothing in your life will change if you don’t take steps to take control of your narrative. From setting clear goals to visualizing your future, there are several simple steps you can take to become the main character in your life.

Take Ownership Of Your Choices

You have the power to make the decisions that are going to affect and shape your life. Take responsibility for the consequences of your choices, both positive and negative. Once you acknowledge that you’re responsible for your own story, only then can you begin adjusting your mindset to live your life with more intention. 

Practice Self-Reflection & Self-Awareness

Begin by reflecting on your life, your values, and your goals. Define your core values and the beliefs that truly matter to you. As you’re evaluating these, analyze if your actions and personal goals align with both. If not, determine how you can take steps to get back into alignment, whether that’s through goal-setting, practicing personal growth, or a combination of both.

Live With Purpose

Every main character has to have a purpose in their life–you know, the one thing that keeps them motivated throughout the heart-warming and harrowing plot points. Determine what gives your life meaning and start aligning your actions to support this purpose. Whether it’s exploring the world, supporting the community, or even living a happy life, defining what makes up your ideal life can help you create specific steps to achieve it.

Set Goals

Setting realistic goals for the life you want is one of the easiest ways to ensure you’re not watching your story go by. Begin visualizing the life you desire and create specific and achievable goals to help lead you there. Break down any of your larger goals into smaller, actionable steps to create a roadmap for your journey. For example, if one of your large goals is to buy a home, an actionable step could be to get a second job to help save more money for your house fund or readjusting your budget to cut out egregious expenses. 

Create A Personal Narrative

Every protagonist needs their own storyline. As you’re reflecting on yours, identify the themes, challenges, and triumphs that have made up your story thus far. This is also the time to dream up the life you want. Write a personal mission statement to help lead you in the right direction. Or, create a vision board filled with imagery and quotes that align with your aspirations. A physical vision board will keep you motivated and inspired to keep working towards your goals, regardless of how many plot twists you may face.

Prioritize Self-Care

Now is the time to prioritize you. Instead of overworking, declining invitations from friends, or saying yes to everybody, learn to practice healthy habits throughout your life to help take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether that’s taking a day off work, saying yes to a dinner with friends, or doing a short workout at home, small actions such as these can have a huge impact on your well-being.

Celebrate Each Win

There’s no success too small to celebrate. Take time to reflect on your achievements and practice gratitude for the ups and downs of your journey. If your victory is as small as cleaning your room or as large as getting a new job, there’s always something in your life worth celebrating.

Like rooting for the protagonist to succeed and thrive in your favorite movies, you should also channel this energy and enthusiasm for yourself. When you begin living with a purpose and embracing who you are, you’re becoming the main character of your life. There’s no better feeling than the relief you experience when you begin taking charge of your life. Start romanticizing your life. Savor every cup of coffee. Buy yourself flowers. Dress up in your best outfits for no occasion. And embrace your uniqueness.

I don’t always feel like the main character in my life. Some days I lack self-confidence or I’ll forget to celebrate a win and instead dwell on the negatives. But in between these moments, when I begin to feel fed up with myself for watching the years go by, I remember that I’m the main character in my own story. And this plot, while it has several twists and turns, is just for me.