Is 'main character energy' just narcissism?

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DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL CARE. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE. THIS VIDEO DISCUSSES NARCISSISM IN GENERAL.

THE VIDEO DOES NOT REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, AS HAVING NARCISSISM. PERMISSION IS NOT GRANTED TO LINK TO OR REPOST THIS VIDEO, ESPECIALLY TO SUPPORT AN ALLEGATION THAT THE MAKERS OF THIS VIDEO BELIEVE, OR SUPPORT A CLAIM, THAT A SPECIFIC PERSON IS A NARCISSIST. THAT WOULD BE AN UNAUTHORIZED MISUSE OF THE VIDEO AND THE INFORMATION FEATURED IN IT.

[edgeofsanity]

Dr. Ramani, you won't believe this, but it was this "Main Character" concept that empowered me to rebel against the toxicity, violation, entitlement and abuse in my life and set unprecedented boundaries.
The turning point was when I realized that I was an "extra" in my own life, where I am supposed to be the main character.
The moment I realized I was being constantly treated like a "photobomber" in what should be my own photoshoot, that's when I decided that enough is enough...

[sadia]

For the longest time I felt like a ‘side character’ in my own life- learnt that it’s because I knew too many toxic people. Healing feels like main character energy 🤍

[usefulbobcat]

The difference between
"I'm the main character in my story"
And
"I have to be the main character in everyone's story"

Edit was to change "I am" "I have to be" because it seems like this way of thinking seems like a psychological need for them

[bryannamohan]

As someone who is apart of Gen Z, I've seen the healthy and unhealthy sides of the main character concept. I've seen people use it as a way to romantisize little moments, but I've also seen people with narc tendencies use it to justify their lack of empathy. I've been thinking about this topic so much, thank you for this video!

[Ailieorz]

It sounds similar to a phenomenon in tabletop roleplaying games known as "Main Character Syndrome". It's when a player continually believes/inserts their character as the 'main' character within the group. They're always the first to talk, turning storylines towards themselves as often as possible and often try to make themselves overpowered so they always win and are the hero. They're one of the most disliked player types and groups often fall apart whenever there's an MCS. It's definitely narcissism to me because you're within a group who are meant to working together, but if you're always just looking out for yourself then, well, we all know how that goes.

[Aerational]

I shoot for side character energy these days. Seeing myself as a character in someone else's story helps me approach interactions in a much more thoughtful way. As someone who grew up with two narcissistic parents (one a borderline psychopath) and ADHD I eventually realized my social queues were not very good. I was so nervous about being accepted that I'd try too hard to be the "main character" and it turned out everyone just thought I was an asshole...I think I was in the early stages of narcissism. Ultra self conscious and terrified of rejection, desperate to be accepted and I thought that meant I had to be confident and cool which I could only attempt to imitate.

[TylerLarson]

For years, before I understood narcissism, I said that it felt like the rest of us were just characters in her story. She was unable to understand what life might look like from someone else's perspective, so we were all just extras in her plot. I think that is in fact the core of narcissism.

[annwe]

"It's taken a left turn on narcissism lane..." Quote of the day.

[playlifesgame]

Main character energy is pretty much what happens when you fully heal from narcissistic abuse and you become the main character in your own life instead of being controlled by narcissistic people. And yah narcissistic people hate when people take control of their own lives and become their own character instead of the puppet on the string that they want you to be.

[ardent]

I think having this kind of energy can help you avoid narcissists. Narcissists want you to be a supporting or background player in their life, as they achieve and shine. You hear often times that you have a role to play in their story, that involves you praising them and admiring them, and when you step outside that role they get angry and vengeful, they want to humiliate you publicly so you'll shrink back into a supporting role and out of your own main character energy. So by asking yourself "Are we two lead characters in this relationship, or am I just a supporting or background player in this person's life?" you'll decide if you should stay or exit stage right. I also just realized that if you have your own main character energy going on then it's like being aware of your purpose and being all about that purpose, which makes it harder for narcissists to get to you, they don't like it if you're too busy doing your own thing, they'll be happy to ditch you, or they may try to pull you down out of envy, but if you're strong in your purpose which gives you high main character energy, when you beat them it only makes your story more interesting.

[McSpaddenator]

I'm a writer who read a bunch of books to avoid my narcissist sibling. I'll have to say I read more than watch television because I like the mundane. It taught me how normal people live. Plus, I did chores to avoid. I call it proper work. It was one of the only ways I got validation. My birthdays and holidays were mostly ignored because my parents heard something devastating about me that wasn't true.

[steggopotamus]

I definitely struggled with pursuing my life goals when i was younger because i would think along the lines of "who do i think i am? I don't have the right to be important, have an opinion, etc" so making myself the main character in my own story could help fix the rest of what's left of those particular issues.

[younesel]

I think, we all need some validation from others from time to time. It needs te be in balance, as everything else in live. There’s no such thing as, too much in balance.

[selfhelpchampion]

So many people behave like they think a cinema orchestra is following them around to give them backing music, that they're the superstar of the universe...and the people who believe this way, they're the people who tend to hurt others the most. They think they're the hero of their own story, but, actually, in the pursuit of being so important, they're often the villain of everyone else's.
Holly Bourne

[AeriaGlris]

I recently learned of "main character energy" and the context hinted that it was a bad thing. Turns out it doesn't have to be, but when it is...yikes! Definitely swerves into narcissism lane if someone lacks empathy and self-reflection.

[TheFangirlWatches]

Main Character Energy shifting into narcissism would be Walter White in Breaking Bad - he starts off as barely even noticeable to himself, to a real confident main character energy type, to a flat out “I’ll do what I want because I can” narcissist.

[shawn]

Wow! You described it perfectly. I am the main character, listening to Dr. Ramani :) Thank you for making these great videos

[dancinginthepurplereign]

As a person who has never ever focused on myself and my own needs, I am finally becoming the main character of my life.

It feels so good to finally be able to focus on myself and be the main character instead of a subservient human being.

It's a way to take back my power. I really struggle with posting my life. It's something I want to work on.

[Eighties-Jadie]

Personally I can't stand social media and have never been on Facebook. The constant stream of filtered selfies and endless photos from what they ate for breakfast to what they're wearing daily is a very needy "Look at me, me, me!" and screams "Give me likes and comments!" which comes across as attention seeking and in some cases narcissistic. The need for validation from these types is annoying and immature. There's nothing wrong with living your life to the fullest without needing to broadcast each and every second to prove to everyone else how great a person you are or how much you're enjoying life. The contented people who enjoy life are too busy remaining in the present appreciating the moment they're experiencing instead of their head buried in their phone checking to see who liked their pictures! Social media really irks me. When I'm out at the shop all I see is people walking by and crossing the road with their head bowed down into their phones like zombies to the point they don't see anything or anyone else around them. It's so unhealthy how technology has taken over and saddens me how an updated piece of metal and plastic is mostly deemed more important than real genuine face to face relationships. Thanks again Dr Ramani and best wishes ❤️

[eesounds]

Dr Ramani - 56 year old or not you’re the definition of main character energy! Performance art based laundry folding aside you are such a beautiful and wise woman inside and out. I’d buy a ticket!