We all know the concept of being the 'main character' of our own lives and recently on social media, there's the term (usually with influencers) of having 'main character energy'. I was first introduced to this concept in the film The Holiday where Arthur tells Iris she's a leading lady but she's acting like the best friend.
I've been having a great week. I'm off work and I'm enjoying not being at work and I'm reading and going on day trips. But I woke up this morning not feeling so good. I don't think I've ever felt like the main character but this morning I didn't even feel like the best friend or even a supporting character. I felt like an extra.
I'm not asking for a solution or ways to change my life. I'm very much a constant work in progress and maybe someday I will be the lead. But I just wondered if anybody else has these thoughts sometimes?
I think we all play different characters everyday and it may not feel as if you're the main character right now, but I guess it depends on the scene of the play or the chapter of the book, right?
I mean not even James Bond or Princess Leia is having a great time all the time.
Remember too that we are all playing bit parts in other people's stories too. It's like life is just one big dance and we are all dancing around and switching dancing partners all the time.
And does dancing have a point? An end result?
Not really, we just dance to enjoy ourselves. I think everyone has the thought of " what is the point" sometimes. But perhaps there is no "point"
That can be quite liberating.
A wise man once said to me: "Life is not a dress rehearsal"
That was 20+ years ago. I've always kept that in mind.
Rachel, "Main character energy?"
Here's one term I haven't heard before.
If I'm being transparent,I don't feel like main character or villian.
I feel like secondary character turn to adversary.Or an ally turn enemy.
Example of this would be Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr.Eggman.I would be Shadow the Hedgehog. I would say Silver the Hedgehog,since he's uses telekinesis and has BEST character theme in Sonic franchise,figure Shadow is more accurate.
Shadow wouldn't be main hero,while villian,he's more of his rival.
Thats how I feel,since I don't think I'm my own main character,I'm my own rival,since I'm also competing with myself.
Became this way because I felt I had a chip on my shoulder,least when I started in those two worlds.Nowandays,I just understand,in grand scheme of things,I won't be remembered.Its morbid things in life that keep me grounded,since its deep rooted in reality.
Main characters and villians are remember by masses,not by all.
This keeps my humility in check,so if I ever feel this "Main Character Energy",it's mainly my own ego making things better than they appear to be.
I can feel this way a lot…and it’s been prevalent lately.
It’s like I can feel like a passive observer of my own life, which to be honest i suspect is a symptom of depression/anxiety. And then there comes a “what’s the point” feeling where I just can’t bring myself to do what I enjoy.
In those moments, it is helpful for me to rest, but to also make a dedicated effort to get back on the horse. Usually by doing something creative. When I feel down and less “main character-ish,“ I do something related to my hobbies. I learn a new song on guitar or a learn a new dish to cook. Anything to tap into the “me” parts of me. :)
I feel like this every other day haha! I've just gotten back from a mini retreat yesterday afternoon and by the time I was in bed late last night, I was already asking myself why I even bother to write 😂, didn't take long! So, you're not alone. My mental health right now is having a field day beating me up and convincing me that my existence is totally pointless. I just have to keep having the awareness that it is my mind being silly, and keep practising my techniques to bring myself back down to earth!
Hi Rachel:
I have felt this way too. As the oldest of five, I was always on call to help with my brothers and sisters and I often felt more like someone who exists to facilitate life for others without having a life of my own. I actually wrote a poem about the feeling of being indentured and definitely less than a full person. It took lots of years of therapy to get to a place where I saw myself as a character in my own story -let alone a main character. I am still working on it.