We’ve all seen it on TikTok: someone sipping an iced latte with headphones on, walking like they’re starring in a Netflix drama. That’s “main character energy”: the idea that your life is a movie, and you’re the star. Gen Z has grabbed this mindset, shaken it up with self-care, humour, and just a pinch of delusion, and made it their survival kit. But is it confidence, or is it just another coping mechanism?
The Rise of the Protagonist Era
No more waiting to be cast as the sidekick. Today, two in five youngsters proudly claim the role of the lead. And why not? If Geet in Jab We Met could ditch a toxic fiancé, hop on a random train, and still end up finding herself (and Aditya, obviously), why can’t you prioritise your own joy? For Gen Z, main character energy isn’t vanity — it’s self-approval, finally choosing themselves first.
Here’s the twist: being the lead doesn’t mean saying yes to every plotline. Gen Z is rewriting scripts with boundaries. No to draining group projects, no to fake friendships, and no to “let’s just adjust” situations. Alia Bhatt’s character in Dear Zindagi nailed it when she walked away from what didn’t serve her peace of mind. Sometimes the boldest scene in your movie is simply saying no.
From Reel to Real Life
The main character’s energy doesn’t always look like filmy drama; it shows up in everyday choices. It’s in the student who goes for a solo movie because they don’t need a group to validate their fun. It’s in the young professional who decides to spend their bonus on pottery classes instead of yet another night out. It’s in someone ordering dessert just for themselves without guilt. Quirks aren’t flaws; they’re what make your story original. Owning those choices is where the real glow-up begins.
But let’s not pretend it’s all glitter. When every brunch has to look Instagrammable and every “bad day” must be repackaged as “character development,” the performance gets exhausting. What began as empowerment can turn into pressure the constant need to live a life worthy of a cinematic montage. In that sense, the main character’s energy becomes both a shield and a stage.
Empowerment or Survival Strategy?
So, is this mindset confidence or coping? Truthfully, it’s a bit of both. For some, it’s an antidote to people-pleasing; for others, it’s a way to romanticise the chaos of adulthood. Either way, the main character’s energy reflects a generation unwilling to be background extras. They want to laugh, stumble, glow up, and grow all with the soundtrack of their choice.
After all, if life feels overwhelming, why not pretend you’re starring in your own rom-com?
