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Who amongst us hasn’t put our earphones in, queued up some epic music and pretended that we’re in a movie? And who of us can truly say we’ve never yearned to be the fiery but vulnerable lead in a rom-com who needs to learn to let love back into her life and the rugged carpenter from her hometown is just the person to break down her walls?? Oh, just me then...?
Ahem, got a little carried away there... where were we?
Well, for those of us DREAMERS who allow for a little imaginative, cinematic fun in our lives, you’re going to love the idea of #maincharacter. Basically, it’s this concept of living your life as if you’re the #maincharacter in a film. It’s all about being the protagonist of every situation you find yourself in.
Now, how exactly do you bring #maincharacterenergy? Well, I’m so glad you asked! Essentially, it’s about dressing and acting like there are cameras on you at all times – and I’m not talking about CCTV! If there was a movie of your life, how would you want to be portrayed? That’s your #maincharacterenergy for you!
Pictured: What is #maincharacterenergy? - "Well...it's all about being the protagonist of every situation you find yourself in."
On the one hand, this way of thinking about your life sounds very empowering and reminds you that you’re in control of your own story (if you’ll pardon my twee turn of phrase). It’s so important to show up every day and be in the driver’s seat of your own life... I mean the director’s chair... I mean, ah! The perils of mixing metaphors! But you get my drift.
If I’m honest, showing up like you’re #maincharacter all the time sounds pretty exhausting. I don’t know about anyone else, but some days I just want to be the sassy best friend, or better still a background artist with no dialogue.
Of course, it may not be that deep, and of course it’s cute and fun to dress up nice, put your favourite Hans Zimmer track on and pretend you’re in a movie... BUT what worries me slightly is I also think this is part and parcel of an increasingly individualised way of conceptualising the world.
Pictured: "What worries me slightly is I also think this is part and parcel of an increasingly individualised way of conceptualising the world."
The reality is that your life intertwines and collides with the narratives of loads of other different people on a daily basis, all of whom have their own idea of who they are, what they need and whatever movie plot they’re living out. And if you only see them as side characters in your film where you’re the #maincharacter, it means you don’t ever stop and question yourself or consider them fully when you’re wrapped up in your own script.
I’m all for #maincharacterenergy for when you need a little boost, or as a cute Instagram caption, and definitely when you need reminding that you are in charge of your own choices. As long as it’s not a permanent lifestyle where you lose yourself to method acting... as yourself... being the #maincharacter is probably just a bit of harmless fun.
Okay, I feel like I’ve fully dragged out this metaphor as far as I can now...
Anyway, I’m off to rekindle my connection with an old flame and learn that my high-octane career is just a defence mechanism so that I never have to fully let someone in. Coming soon to cinemas near you!
This article first appeared in Connect Magazine, which you can read in full below...
