GUEST COLUMN: The romanticism of main character syndrome- Rubayat Randhawa
Rubayat Randhawa/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 11,2026
In today’s ever-evolving digital world, where every post, every story, screams the need for validation and attention, the phrase ‘main character energy’ has taken the internet by the storm with its raw, alive and bold concept, disguising a somewhat narcissist core underneath the strategically tiered layers of facade revolving around it.
On the outside, this phrase idolises the concept of being the protagonist of your own story and holding your self-worth over every dark cloud of insecurity and unreceived validation.
As a result of the exaggerated and flashy lifestyles prominent on the social platforms, as a natural instinct, human mind may question its own words, its own lifestyle, and the lack of luxuries flaunted and promoted by the seemingly picture-perfect influencers online.
Therefore, the idea of mean character energy is bound to gain the spotlight of attention of every digital user out there. It flawlessly provides to us an illusion of being self-sufficient while gradually drifting us away from the reality that human survival, after all at the end of the day, is interdependent on our fellow beings. It portrays to us an image that reflects the idea of being the only person valuable enough of recognition and appreciation, but, let’s be true to ourselves.
Are we really the only ones truly deserving of spotlight in every phase of our life? Is the acceptance of reality perishing at such an alarming rate that we need to feed our souls delusions, rather than, inculcating the strength to overcome our setbacks? Let’s be clear -self-worth, dignity, confidence, and self motivation are beyond necessary to survive in this world where, aesthetics and cinematic life are promoted over authenticity and practicality.
Because otherwise, in no less than a few days of scrolling on your screens, you are going to find yourself in a self created space, devoid of love for self and maximalist levels of overthinking. But, rephrasing these necessary characteristics while moulding them into something unmistakably narcissist and self-centred is just a lack of reality-checks and awareness. If we put this into simple words -its toxic rebranding at its finest.
Because, how else can we define an idea that glorifies itself as a concept which puts an end to insecure trauma, all while, transforming the person to be an unsympathetic ‘protagonist’ and threatening their sanity? Why do we indulge without understanding? Are we truly ready to kill our own consciousness?
Let’s be real, we do not need beautifully packaged social media trends to make us believe in our potential, our worth and our own, whole self. Rather, all we need is a little self-confidence, a little motivation from our amazing close-ones surrounding us and a little, just a little, trust in ourselves and all of this, would come along with you for a long, long way. Afterall, our value was never dependent on being the centre of attention.
NOTE: The views expressed by the author, writer are personal. The author Rubayat Randhawa is a 10th class student of Our Lady of Fatima Convent Secondary School, Patiala.
