Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
We’ve all seen it: the girl walking slowly through the crosswalk with her iced matcha and sunglasses, vibing to a song only she can hear. The TikToks with people declaring “main character energy” as they romanticize everything from grocery shopping to crying in the rain. On the surface, it seems empowering—owning your moment, being bold, making your life feel like a movie. But at what point does celebrating yourself turn into something a little… much?
What Even Is “Main Character” Energy?
“Main character energy” started as a fun reminder to stop coasting and start living with intention. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. Who doesn’t want to feel like the star of their own story? The idea is to add meaning to everyday life, to notice small joys, and to build confidence. All good things! But somewhere along the way, it got twisted. What began as a lighthearted trend now sometimes feels like a full-time performance.
Social Media Turned It Into a Show
Social media, of course, plays a huge role in this shift. We’re constantly seeing curated content that makes ordinary lives look like cinematic masterpieces. That trip to Target isn’t just a quick errand anymore—it’s a moment. A photoshoot. A chance to show the world how aesthetically pleasing your reusable bags are. Even something as mundane as making your bed or sipping tea is suddenly part of this larger, polished narrative. It can be fun—but it can also feel fake.
Unrealistic Expectations Start to Build
What’s more, this obsession with constantly being the main character can set up some unrealistic expectations. If every day isn’t packed with magic, growth, or an inspirational moment, it can start to feel like you’re doing something wrong. Not every morning is a sunrise jog followed by journaling and a picture-perfect breakfast. Sometimes the alarm doesn’t go off, your coffee spills, and you forget to put on deodorant. That doesn’t make you less important. It makes you human.
Comparison Is the Thief of Joy (Again)
There’s also the issue of comparison. Watching others live out their “main character” fantasy can make you question your own life. If you’re not jet-setting to dreamy locations or having deep, poetic conversations in a candlelit apartment, are you even doing it right? Yes. You are. Not every story has to look the same. Some people are on an adventure arc. Others are in their healing era. And some of us are just trying to get through Tuesday without screaming into the void.
You Don’t Have to Perform Every Day
The truth is, you don’t need to be the main character all the time. Sometimes you’re the comic relief, the background extra, or the person who just holds the door open. That doesn’t make your story any less meaningful. The quiet, unfiltered moments are just as real and valuable as the highlight reel. You don’t need a camera angle or a voiceover to matter.
So, Are We Too Obsessed?
Maybe. But that doesn’t mean we should throw the whole concept out. Let’s just bring it back to what it was meant to be: a little nudge to pay attention to our own lives, to be present, and to stop waiting for permission to enjoy ourselves. Just don’t lose yourself trying to be a star in someone else’s movie. Write your own script—flaws, mess, boring Tuesdays and all.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.