By Julie-Ann Sherlock
Have you ever sipped your morning coffee while gazing out the window, pretending you’re the star of your own indie film? Or taken a long, leisurely walk while a carefully curated playlist turns your errands into a cinematic montage? If so, congratulations—you’ve embraced Main Character Energy (MCE).
This trend, popularised by TikTok and Instagram, is all about treating your life like it’s the plot of a beautifully shot coming-of-age movie. And while it might sound like just another social media fad, there’s something deeper going on.
More and more women are rejecting the idea that life has to be mundane, choosing instead to romanticise the every day—and honestly? I’m here for it.
What Is Main Character Energy?
MCE is the art of seeing yourself as the protagonist of your own story. It’s about finding magic in the small moments:
- Turning grocery shopping into a “vintage market haul” aesthetic
- Dancing in your kitchen like you’re in a rom-com
- Wearing that outfit just because it makes you feel iconic
It’s not about being self-absorbed; it’s about reclaiming joy in a world that often tells women to shrink themselves.
Why Are We Doing This?
For some, it has become a rejection of the “Just Getting By” lifestyle many of us find ourselves in. Life can feel like an endless to-do list: work, chores, responsibilities. MCE is a rebellion against that. Instead of just surviving the day, women are choosing to make it feel special.
Social media also plays a role in the self-mythologising many of us are doing. Carefully curated lifestyles are not merely about vanity. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have turned personal storytelling into an art form where we craft narratives around their lives, not for clout, but because it feels good to be the hero of our stories.
As my favourite Doctor Who quote goes: “…we’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”
Being held hostage by our homes during the pandemic made us rethink what happiness means to us. Lockdowns forced us to slow down and find joy in small things—baking bread, reading in the sun, taking long baths. And that mindset continues, but this time, it has more freedom.
Women, especially those of us over 30, often feel culturally erased or invisible. Romanticising our lives is a way of saying: “I’m still here, and my story matters.” We can be loud and proud, no matter what the world tries to tell us.
How to Cultivate Main Character Energy
Want to inject some cinematic magic and joy into your daily routine? Here’s how:
Set the Scene: Create a soundtrack for your life. Walking to work? Play something that makes you feel powerful and strut your stuff, Mama! And don’t forget to wear what makes you happy, even if it’s just for a Zoom call! Be true to yourself and embrace the aesthetic that screams you; you will shine like a main character.
Narrate Your Life (Like You’re in a Movie): “She poured her coffee, determined to conquer the day.” “The train ride was long, but the sunset made it worth it.” You can do it in your head, adding positive affirmations to the mix to really bring out your MCE.
Find Beauty in the Mundane: Switch up your thinking: a rainy day isn’t gloomy—it’s atmospheric. And cooking dinner isn’t a chore—it’s a culinary adventure. Put that positive spin on everything like a DJ at a set of decks.
Treat Yourself Like the Main Character (Because You Are): There ain’t anyone more important in your world than you, so forget waiting for others and take yourself on solo dates. Say “no” to things that drain your energy and celebrate small wins like plot twists.
The Psychology Bit
Turns out there’s science backing up this phenomenon. Studies have shown that self-narration boosts happiness as people who frame their lives as meaningful stories report higher satisfaction. Small pleasures reduce stress, so savouring little moments (like a perfect cup of tea) increases dopamine. Also, choosing to see yourself as the protagonist reinforces control over your narrative and promotes self-agency.
Of course, some critics say Main Character Energy is self-indulgent. But here’s the thing: women are often expected to be selfless—putting others first and downplaying their desires. I say F that and embrace MCE as it flips that script.
It’s not about ignoring reality but enhancing it. It isn’t about delusion; it’s about intentional joy. Choosing to romanticise your life in our chaotic world is a radical act of self-love.
So go ahead—wear the red lipstick, take the scenic route, and dance in your living room. After all, if you’re not the main character of your own life… who is?
*Cue the montage.