Main Character Energy… in Everyone Else’s Story

 

Let’s talk about a very specific personality type. You’ve met them. You’ve definitely met them.

The ones who could turn your flat tire into their tragic backstory.
The ones who hear your win and somehow respond with, “Oh yeah? I did that… but bigger.”
The ones who could listen to you say you have a headache and immediately hit you with, “That’s nothing—one time I basically died.”

Ah yes. Those people.

The unofficial spokespersons of every conversation. The self-appointed narrators of situations that had absolutely nothing to do with them—until they arrived.

Now listen, I’m all for confidence. I love a good “know your worth” moment. But there’s a fine line between confidence… and auditioning for attention in every single interaction like it’s your full-time job.

And some people?
They don’t just cross that line—they redecorate it, claim ownership, and charge admission.

Here’s the funny part: for a long time, I thought I just needed to be more understanding. More patient. Maybe I wasn’t giving them enough space to express themselves.

Spoiler alert:
They don’t need space.
They need an audience.

And I? I retired from that role.

Because at some point, you realize conversations aren’t supposed to feel like competitions. Your experiences aren’t invitations for someone else to one-up you. And your voice shouldn’t have to fight for airtime in a story that is literally yours.

Growth looks like this:
You stop overexplaining.
You stop trying to “win” conversations that were never meant to be battles.
You stop engaging in the weird Olympics of who’s had it better, worse, harder, faster, stronger.

And instead? You observe.

You nod.
You sip your drink.
You mentally file it under: “Ah… noted.”

Because not every behavior needs a reaction. Sometimes it just needs distance.

So now, when someone tries to hijack the moment, I don’t compete. I don’t correct. I don’t even entertain it.

I simply adjust their access.

Less front row.
More… background noise.

Call it petty if you want.
I call it peaceful.

Because the truth is—
Not everyone deserves a speaking role in your life.

And some people?
They were never meant to be anything more than a brief, loud, slightly exhausting cameo.