🌟 The Myth of the ‘Main Character’: Are We All Just Side Characters?

 In the age of TikTok affirmations and cinematic self-love, the idea of being the “main character” has become a cultural mantra. We’re told to romanticize our lives, walk through the world like we’re in a movie, and embrace our narrative arcs with dramatic flair. But beneath the aesthetic filters and curated playlists lies a deeper question: Are we truly the protagonists of our own stories, or just side characters in someone else’s?

🎬 The Rise of the Main Character Complex

The “main character” trope exploded online as a form of empowerment. It encourages people to take control of their lives, make bold choices, and see themselves as worthy of attention. It’s a rebellion against invisibility. But like any narrative device, it has its limits.

When everyone is the main character, who’s left to listen? Who fills the quiet roles, the mentors, the comic relief, the background players who make the world feel real?

🧩 Side Characters: The Unsung Architects of Meaning

Think about your favorite stories. The protagonist may drive the plot, but it’s the side characters who shape the emotional landscape. Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter. They don’t seek the spotlight, yet they often carry the soul of the story.

In real life, we play these roles more often than we realize:

• The friend who listens at 2 a.m.

• The stranger who smiles at the right moment.

• The teacher who sparks a lifelong passion.

These moments may not be “main character” material, but they’re deeply human, and often more impactful than any dramatic monologue.

🌀 The Fluidity of Roles

Here’s the twist: roles aren’t fixed. You might be the protagonist in your own coming-of-age arc, but a side character in someone else’s redemption story. And that’s not a demotion, it’s a sign of interconnectedness.

We’re all part of a vast ensemble cast, weaving in and out of each other’s narratives. Sometimes we lead. Sometimes we support. Sometimes we simply witness.

🧠 Reframing the Narrative

Instead of chasing the spotlight, what if we embraced the richness of every role? What if being a “side character” meant being present, observant, and quietly powerful?

The myth of the main character isn’t wrong; it’s just incomplete. Life isn’t a solo performance. It’s a symphony. And every note, every voice, every role matters.

You don’t have to be the loudest, boldest, or most dramatic to be meaningful. Sometimes, the most profound impact comes from those who aren’t trying to be seen, but who see others deeply.