The Narcissism of “Main Character Energy”

Somewhere along the line, self-awareness took a wrong turn and ended up in the land of self-obsession.

You are not a star.

We’ve gone from “know yourself” to “worship yourself,” and social media has been the loudest preacher in that new religion. Every post, every “soft life” vlog, every carefully curated moment is built around the same script: You’re the star, and everyone else is just an extra in your movie.

Cute idea. Terrible mindset.

That whole “main character energy” movement sounds empowering until you realize it’s just dressed-up narcissism. When everyone’s the star, who’s left to clap from the audience? Who’s left to care, to support, or to simply listen? The truth is, that mindset kills empathy—and empathy is the glue that holds communities together.

It's okay to be part of a cast.

You’re not the main character. I’m not either. We’re all part of a bigger story that only works when people play their parts well. Some days you lead the scene, other days you hold the light for someone else. That’s called balance. That’s called humanity.

Good decision-making isn’t just about what feels right for you—it’s about understanding how your choices ripple through other people’s lives. If your whole philosophy centers on you getting yours while ignoring everyone else, don’t be surprised when the world stops clapping (and you start calling people "haters").

You can’t demand respect in a world you refuse to contribute to. And no, you’re not the main character. You’re a member of the cast. Act accordingly.