Welcome to “From my journal to yours,” the column where I’ll share ideas designed to spark reflection, inspire creativity and encourage you to dive into your thoughts. Each entry is an invitation to pause and reflect. Let’s explore together, one question at a time.
Cue the soundtrack; Gen-Z is living life as the main character of a movie. Is that self-empowerment or self-absorption? Does it help with confidence, or does it contribute to unrealistic expectations?
Is “main character energy” narcissistic or necessary?
Main character energy is defined as the confidence, charisma and self-discovery that society observes in the main characters from our favorite shows, movies and books. Embracing main character energy is stating that you are the leading character in your life.
Positive aspects of embracing main character energy include improved confidence, the ability to speak up for yourself, set boundaries and enforce them. If you’re a people pleaser like me and often put others’ needs above your own, you can probably relate to the phrase “easier said than done,” right?
Personally, I find myself constantly rushing to take care of everyone else before prioritizing my own needs. Enforcing boundaries with others is something I’ve struggled with, but it’s an area I’m actively working on as I strive to cultivate this empowering sense of main character energy within myself.
There are always two sides to every coin, though. So what are the negatives of main character energy? Healthline states the unsavory side as arrogant, treating others like they are less important, being self-centered, narcissistic and having entitled personalities.
In her article “Why Main Character Energy Can be a Problem,” Shannon Sauer-Zavala discusses the pros and cons of main character energy.
“We often do things that feel good in the short term, like driving the conversation, but take us farther from our values in the long term, like by alienating others,” Zavala said.
She also argues that being less attuned to others can be an attribute for those who let the needs of others overshadow their own needs, looking at myself and all of you who also raised your hand earlier in this article.
With that being said, is the main character’s energy narcissistic or necessary? I think it’s necessary.
Main character energy encourages us to take ownership of our lives, to set boundaries and to advocate for ourselves unapologetically. It’s about realizing that you are deserving of joy, success and fulfillment. Finding the balance is key — main character energy doesn’t mean ignoring others or putting yourself above them. Rather, it’s about showing up for yourself in the same way you show up for those you care about.
For those of us who struggle with people-pleasing tendencies, adopting main character energy can be transformative. It can help us shift from constantly prioritizing others’ needs to acknowledging our own desires and goals. It reminds us that self-care isn’t selfish — it’s essential. By embracing this mindset in a healthy way, we can build confidence, make decisions that align with our values and live more authentically.
Ultimately, main character energy is about creating a life where you are the author of your own story — a story filled with purpose, growth and self-love. It’s not about putting others’ needs above your own and invalidating yourself. It’s about cultivating inner strength and finding joy in being unapologetically yourself.
What’s your current main character moment? Your thoughts are my favorite read; email me at [email protected]!
Marissa Hunt is a junior at UT this year studying journalism. She can be reached at [email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
