TikTok Cant Stop Talking About Side Character Energy But What Exactly Does It Mean? When lockdown finally wrapped up the only term on the internets lips was Main Character Energy. Essentially encouraging us to take on the day-to-day as if we were the lead star in a little ol film about their lives. Sure glamorising and romanticising your life certainly has its benefits. But TikTok AKA the whos who of pop culture trends is ready to retire those vibes in favour of something a little more realistic—Side Character Energy.
Think about it in every quintessential film or TV show that includes a female friendship theres always the main character and their well sidelined friend. But what the social platform is wanting us all to celebrate is that this same friend is usually the happier and more resolved narrative-wise of the two. And who doesnt want to live like that IRL? The Hot Girl Walk Is Trending On TikTok—But What Exactly Is It? Opinion Carrie Bradshaw Gave Louise From St. Louis The Wrong Louis Vuitton Bag The new persona in question is currently taking over TikTok but was originally coined by user Lola Okola @lolaokola who pondered on the thought in her popular declaration-making walks.
As she does in every video Lola shares her thoughts and ideas as she goes for a walk and every time her statements get you thinking. So this time it was no different. Now her idea of living life like a films side character is gaining serious traction online and heres why. As Lola explained on TikTok embracing your inner side character means living with great outfits and funny one liners basically its a way to live life by being funny and sexy. And the rest of the platform agreed with commenters sharing that theyre on my Karen from Will & Grace wave here for this Judy Greer energy and happily enjoying a Single dimensional summer.
But to truly understand how to become a bona fide side character its important to understand the context behind what gives someone Main Character Energy. Also known as main character syndrome the concept is typically a character in a film or TV show who is a self-centred entitled person whose life needs to be the centre of her friends attention and identifies as the protagonist in their own life story as per Insider. Basically think of it as someone who sees themselves as the main character in their own life.
A perfect example of said friendship dynamic could be Sex and the Citys Carrie Bradshaw who frequently takes heat for their selfish tendencies. So when considering Side Character Energy think about an on-screen character who is often pushed to the sidelines or whose storyline is only to benefit the main characters. A quintessential example of a sidelined character could be basically every role that Judy Greer has ever played—think The Wedding Planner Suddenly 30 Love Happens the list goes on. However the first that comes to mind is her role in 27 Dresses where she plays the best friend trope for Katherine Heigls character whose entire storyline revolved around the protagonists actions.
While Greers character was just as funny the spotlight wasnt on her at all when it should have been. In some cases that very same side character can sometimes become a favourite with viewers à la Samantha Jones which as we now know the reboot of the TV series And Just Like That... without her saw myriads of fans back out of tuning in.
Judy Greer in *27 Dresses*.
Judy Greer in 27 Dresses.
But while welcoming the side character can feel comforting its also important to not let yourself get too comfortable. When youre not tending to yourself feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem often show up psychotherapist Abby Rawlinson told Well Good. Theres definitely a dance we do in healthy balanced relationship where sometimes we step back and lift other people up but when we need to were still able to step forward into the spotlight.
While sure treating yourself like a side character is definitely fun and games Rawlinsons point shouldnt be taken lightly. Rejecting the unfavourable spotlight of Main Character Energy and finding pride in whats comfortable isnt wrong but too much time out of the spotlight could lead you to feel as if you never deserve your time in the sun. And when all is said and done whether youre a main character or a side character these TikTok movements are meant to inspire confidence not hinder it. So enjoy the energy—but remember to stay grounded.
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