The trend that urges you to be the protagonist of your next solo walk
Remember when we were in the height of the pandemic and could only leave the house once a day for a walk? This is where the “main character walk” blossomed, influenced by the “main character energy” TikTok trend.
A term that became popular on TikTok during the pandemic, “main character energy” started trending after a video went viral. The sound said, “You have to start romanticising your life. You have to start thinking of yourself as the main character. ’Cause if you don’t, life will continue to pass you by.” From this, an exponential number of views and likes (540k likes and over 3 million views) influenced the general public to trigger the concept of “main character energy.”
We mention the “main character walk” in our latest podcast, The Great Out There – The Hiking episode. Listen here:
The main character is unapologetically self-focussed, and constantly puts themselves first for the benefit of their mental wellbeing. This method of self-care allows a person to be the protagonist of their own life – as they should be. Imagine the camera is constantly focused on you and you alone. This is the point of the main character.
The “main character walk” is taking part in a solo walk, with headphones in and route planned. While none of the general public are looking at you, the idea of the “main character walk” is to romanticise this small activity that was the single thing we were allowed to do during the peak of the pandemic.
As an article in The New Yorker put it: “Main-character moments are composed with an audience in mind; they’re vicarious spectacles.” It’s like everyone is looking at you, but you don’t care what they are thinking.
This trending concept is still around today, while people revert into the real world of socialising and holiday-ing. Social users are busy posting their gorgeous summer holiday selfies, solo coffee runs, and delicious out-for-food pics.
Post-pandemic, we encourage people to exude “main character energy.” As the centre of your own life, this trend urges you to romanticise the small things – even a walk.
Listen to our Spotify playlists to enhance your next “main character walk.”