If you enjoy picturing yourself dancing in the rain or standing at the bow of a cruise ship, you might have what’s known as ‘main character syndrome’. Scientists now suggest that living your life as if you’re the protagonist can actually benefit your mental health.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found that people who view themselves as the main character in their life stories have higher levels of overall wellbeing. In their study, the researchers noted that these individuals feel more autonomous, competent, and effective, and experience better relational satisfaction with others.
What’s more, even telling a story where you figure as the main character can boost your sense of psychological satisfaction. This is linked to the concept of ‘narrative identity’ in psychology, which refers to how we view our own role in the story of our lives. Traditionally, it was assumed that people naturally saw themselves as the main character, but the researchers highlight that some might see themselves as playing minor or side roles in larger narratives.
To explore this further, the researchers designed three experiments to measure the impact of narrative identity on the satisfaction of basic psychological needs. In the first experiment, 385 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire rating their sense of being the main character. They rated themselves on a scale from ‘minor character‘ to ‘major character‘, ‘side character‘ to ‘primary character‘, and ‘background character‘ to ‘lead character‘. The results showed that those who saw themselves as major characters experienced significantly higher levels of need satisfaction and wellbeing. This perception also predicted better wellbeing four weeks later, indicating a long-term impact on psychological health.
The second experiment involved 326 students who completed a wellbeing survey before and after recalling a story where they were either a major or minor character. Those who recounted stories as the main character showed significant increases in wellbeing and satisfaction, while those who recalled feeling like a minor character showed significant decreases.
In the third experiment, 298 participants described three goals they were pursuing and rated their motivations. They then completed the main character and wellbeing surveys before writing a story where they were the main character. Participants with higher main character perceptions pursued goals aligned with their values and exhibited higher self-motivation. Analysis of their narratives revealed that those with a main character mindset felt more control over their world and actions, a concept known as ‘agency’.
The idea of becoming the ‘main character’ to gain more agency has gained traction on social media. On TikTok, users describe the ‘main character’ method, interpreting their life events as scenes in a TV show. One user explained, “When you live your life like it’s a season of a series, everything bad that happens changes your mindset to ‘well, of course, this is just for the plot’.“
Since 2019, the phrase ‘romanticize your life’ has encouraged people to act more like the main character of their own personal show. While these ideas might lack rigorous scientific backing, they align with the researchers’ core finding that major character perception is linked to increased agency.
Although the researchers do not provide specific strategies to enhance your sense of being the main character, they emphasize the importance of perceiving oneself as an agentic force in one’s life. By making decisions independently and viewing oneself as the protagonist rather than being influenced by external forces, individuals can become more integrated and fully functioning.
In conclusion, living your life as the main character can significantly impact your mental health, fostering a greater sense of autonomy, competence, and relational satisfaction.
