POV: You are the Main Character of Your Life
Whether you like it or not.
This post was inspired by this reel by filmwcolleen.
Main Character Energy. If you are chronically online like myself, you may have seen this a lot on TikTok and social media.
A characteristic that describes how a person prioritises themselves and their own happiness. Main character energy is typically associated with high self-confidence, self-respect, and self-love.
For me, main character energy means not being affected by the things I can’t control and living life in the moment.
Finding Inspiration in Your Own Story
What is your favourite movie? Think about why you love it. The chances of you mentioning the characters and the plot are likely. We resonate with stories when we relate to the characters. They overcome the challenges they face, and these main characters inspire us.
I am confident that you, the main character of your life, have also overcome many hurdles to become who you are now.
Every setback, every disappointment, and every heartbreak are just opportunities in disguise to build up resilience. Your pure willpower is a testament to your resolve. You keep going. It’s in those moments that we are refined into the best versions of ourselves. And when the right opportunity presents itself, we are ready to seize it.
Embracing your Side Quests
I always joke with my friends about how we do things for the plot. Because we are curious. We want to see what could happen in situations that we can’t influence. To confess, there are a few things that I have no shame in doing for the content. Just so I have some things to look back on.
There's no shortcut to achieving our goals & dreams. Along the way, there may be detours where we find ourselves in situations that we never imagined to be in. We may have to overcome certain tasks before we progress further. Not all journeys are linear. Each of these side quests can serve their purpose of providing experience for us to learn and grow.
I went from head event promoter to night club videographer to part-time manifestation coach on TikTok. All of those led me to where I am now and as much as I wished I could have fast-tracked to just being a writer, all those experiences helped shaped me.
Sometimes you’re alone and that’s okay
This is what I feel separates the main characters from the rest of the cast: the ability to be fine by themselves. When was the last time you had a solo date? When did you do something solely by yourself?
I love having company, but it wasn’t always like that. Whenever I wanted to do certain things, I’d always ask my friends to come because I didn’t want to be alone. But as we get older, it gets harder. We can spend more time trying to find time. We have to make a decision. Do we do it on our own or try to wait and then miss the opportunity?
I remember when I started doing things by myself. My anxiety would go into overdrive. What would other people think? But really, who even cares? People will be in their little world, their conversation bubble, drinking their order. Why do I even value what a stranger would think? I won’t see them again unless they are also a regular at that coffee shop.
It’s important to appreciate your own company. We spend our whole lives with ourselves, and along the way, we meet people who make us feel less lonely. But those friends are also the main characters of their own stories too. You may happen to be the person who helps them with their journey.
You are enough, we are enough
We all coexist together with lives as rich and complicated as another. The barista who served your coffee might be wondering about an assignment they have due that evening. The bus driver who took you to work might be wondering how they can get home quickly from work to help their kids with their homework. You, the customer and the passenger, will probably be occupied with your responsibilities.
We don’t need big goals or dreams like the main characters we see in blockbuster movies or glamorised TV shows. We don’t need to save the world from impending Armageddon. Of course, it’s nice to work towards a goal and to just be kind but even just being here is enough. It was always enough.
And if you are just trying to survive right now, you made it this far and that is an achievement within itself. But you are the main character so I wouldn’t have expected any less. You might be so close to that breakthrough, or you might be so close to giving it up but in those moments, you will find a way. I know because this is your story to tell. I know because I’ve been there too.
So seize your story. The ups and downs all balance out in the end. Things not going to plan is also part of the plan. And know that I am rooting for you, Main Character.