How to Stay the Main Character Even When Life Treats You Like an NPC

 

Be the Main Character of Your Own Life

In this reality, there are so many moments that make us question whether we are valuable enough or whether we shine enough in society. We get passed over for promotions even though we try our best, we are not chosen by someone we’ve had a crush on for a long time, our friends hang out without us, or sometimes as simple as nobody messaging us to ask about our day — no friends, no one. It can feel sad and lonely.

But I don’t want to turn this topic into a moment of mourning or to romanticize being a loser. I just want to remind us that maybe none of us are that special. We often hear “everyone is special” — but since everyone feels that way, instead of being overly confident or self-centered, I think it’s more helpful to realize that we are not that special, precisely because everyone is special.

Don’t act like your life is miserable just because people treat you like nothing. That is how life works. Everyone is an NPC in someone else’s story — even you. And that is a perfectly normal phase for every human to go through. In society, especially when you become an adult, everyone has their own agenda to make their life work. For example, if you are super rich or super famous, I bet people will treat you differently, as if you are a queen or a king. But it’s not because you are better than anyone else.

We could talk about money and fame in another post, because they truly affect so many aspects of life. These factors often become the standard for determining someone’s status in society. Why? It’s as simple as this: people want to gain an advantage. Whether that means exploiting someone’s personal assets, or simply trying to build a connection to achieve their own goals, it happens all the time.

Unfortunately, this logic applies to our romantic lives too. Someone might date you just because of your looks, your wealth, your job, or your family name. The point I want to underline is this: you are not special. Even if you have everything, that doesn’t mean you truly belong with that person. They may not love you for your personality or your real self, but only for external factors — which sometimes have nothing to do with you as a person. After all, you cannot choose your parents or the background you were born into, can you?
But sometimes, these situations can make you feel miserable and push you to complain about how unfair life is. Well, it’s okay to think like that when you are younger. But adulthood is different. We can’t just accept this reality and validate our feelings without bringing in logical thinking.

I don’t say this without reason — I’ve been through those miserable moments myself. I felt down, drowning in my own thoughts. After some time, I realized my self-esteem was getting worse. I couldn’t look in the mirror without criticizing my appearance. I couldn’t learn new things without blaming myself and pointing out every mistake. It felt like I was punishing myself. But then I realized how stupid that was, because I hadn’t actually done anything wrong. Why was I treating myself like a criminal? I realized it wasn’t fair to myself, either. So I stopped blaming myself and tried to see things differently. Maybe… maybe it simply wasn’t meant for me or maybe… it just wasn’t my fate. It became easier to accept reality and move on.

From that moment, I began to practice self-love and self-respect. I reminded myself that my value doesn’t depend on someone else’s recognition. I also tried to develop my own personal goals and dreams, focusing on what truly made me grow as a person. Staying connected socially is still important, but I learned not to let social approval define my worth. In the end, I realized I am the only one who can write my own narrative, make my own decisions, and choose my own path. That awareness felt so liberating, like taking back the power I once gave away.

I also remind myself of this statement whenever I feel bad about my life: “Hey, tomorrow is tomorrow. Maybe my best moment just hasn’t come yet.” If my dream company rejects me, I can evaluate my weaknesses and improve myself. If my crush doesn’t choose me, I can move on with a big smile and look for another love story. If my friends treat me like an outsider, I can focus on my own hobbies or look for a new community where I belong. I think that is the true power of mindset. Of course, it’s okay to cry or feel disappointed — but again, don’t torture yourself over it. We deserve more.

In the end, just remember that we live in our own main story. It doesn’t matter if people see us as some NPC — all of us deserve to stand at the center of our own stage, with confidence and pride. The only one who truly knows you and lives with you is yourself, so don’t let anyone put you down. No matter what happens, you have the power to keep moving forward and write the chapters you dream of. I’m writing this for myself too:

'Please do your best, and don’t lose hope, even in the worst situation. Because this bad situation will pass tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work until now.'