Don’t be The “Main Character”. Be The Director

We’ve all heard the advice: “Live like the main character.”
It’s everywhere on TikTok, in captions, in comment sections, that Gen Z-coded idea of “main character energy.”

It sounds empowering. Romantic even.
But here’s the problem: when you’re the main character, you’re trapped inside the script.

Main characters are reactive.
They don’t control the storyline, they just live it.
They don’t pick the shots, they just stand in them.
Their whole identity depends on how the world responds. They typically have the most problems, wouldn’t be a good movie if they didn’t I guess.

The director? Different.

The director steps back.
They choose the frame.
They control the pacing.
They decide what makes the final cut.

That shift from Character to Director isn’t about dimming your presence.
It’s about stepping into perspective.

Director Energy

Director energy is the ability to zoom out.
To stop asking, “How do I look in this scene?” and start asking, “What story am I telling?”

It’s being less obsessed with the performance, the scene, more intentional with the vision.
It’s learning to cut what doesn’t fit, reframe what does, and keep momentum (and life) moving forward.

Most importantly, it’s the reminder that you don’t have to star in every scene. Sometimes the most powerful role is behind the camera, shaping the whole thing.

To me, its the MOST important.

The Observer

My old mentor Bedros taught me this, (might blow your mind for a bit)

He asked “Who is Julian?”

I stuttered, before I can say a word he says -

“I’ll tell you who Julian is not.

You’re not your body, your hands, or feet

You’re not your emotions, you’re barely your thoughts.

He said You are the Observer of this thing we call consciousness.

Stay with me..

Just like your car you drive, once you step into your car you don’t become your car,

You observe the world through the windshield (our eyes), and influence the car.

So many people react to their thoughts, feelings and emotions and convince themselves its who they are.

Those thoughts, feelings and emotions can simply be observed.

Like a butterfly, just observe the “sadness, anxiety, depression” and go “okay”

Same thing in this Director Role.

The Producer’s Role

If you zoom out even further, there’s a layer above the director: the producer.

Think of God, the Universe, or whatever higher power you believe in, as the producer.

What does a producer actually do?
They don’t run the camera.
They don’t act in the scenes.
They don’t sit in the editing room.

The producer funds the project.
They open doors.
They provide the resources, connections, and support to bring the vision to life.

But they don’t micromanage the story.
They hand you the tools and expect you to direct.

Why This Matters

Main character energy keeps you reactive.
Director energy gives you perspective.
Producer energy reminds you there’s a bigger hand supporting the whole production.

Once you see your life this way, the pressure shifts.
It’s not about being the star of every scene, it’s about how well you direct with the resources you’ve been given.

And maybe that’s the real plot twist:
The story was never just about you.
It’s about what you do with the film you’ve been trusted to make.