You’re the Main Character (and That’s a Good Thing)

Lately, there's been a growing trend online around something called “main character energy.” You’ve probably seen it: people talking about romanticizing their daily routines, creating playlists that match their moods, or sharing little moments that feel cinematic—like sipping coffee by a window or walking alone with headphones on.

It might seem like just another internet trend, but there’s something deeper going on. This idea of being the main character in your own life actually connects with something powerful in mental health: reclaiming your story.

Most of us go through the day on autopilot. We wake up, go through the motions, and try to keep up with everything life throws at us. But when you pause, even for a few seconds, and see yourself as someone in the middle of their journey, struggling, growing, healing, it shifts something. You go from feeling like life is just happening to you to realizing you’re the one moving the story forward.

That’s not just feel-good talk. From a therapeutic standpoint, it’s a form of mindfulness. When you choose to slow down and notice what’s around you, when you focus on the present moment like it matters, you’re actually grounding yourself. And when you start to reflect on the chapter you’re in right now, or imagine what might come next, that’s narrative work. It helps you make meaning out of your experiences, even the painful ones.

This mindset isn’t about ignoring your problems or pretending things are perfect. It’s about giving yourself space to see the beauty, the effort, and the emotional strength in your day-to-day life. It’s about honoring your progress, even when it’s quiet.

Here are a few ways you can try this for yourself:

• Create a playlist that fits where you are right now emotionally

• Write a journal entry like you’re looking back on this moment years from now

• Give this phase of your life a title—something soft, or strong, or in-between

• Say to yourself, “This is part of the story. And I’m still becoming.”

  
  

At Better Futures, we believe that healing often starts with small shifts like this. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up for yourself, one page at a time.

You’re not lost. You’re just in the middle of the plot.