<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Main Character Club]]></title><description><![CDATA[They say every woman has a "before" and an "after". But somewhere between the two — in the messy, magical middle — is where she actually becomes her.

Welcome to The Main Character Club, my love letter to that becoming. ]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kkok!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fede8de84-7fac-43b1-8025-6dd29a32fcd7_1280x1280.png</url><title>The Main Character Club</title><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:03:48 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[shompal@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[shompal@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[shompal@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[shompal@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Only at the precipice, we change.]]></title><description><![CDATA[You only need these Two things.]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/only-at-the-precipice-we-change</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/only-at-the-precipice-we-change</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:53:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kkok!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fede8de84-7fac-43b1-8025-6dd29a32fcd7_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have had a dream of a perfect body&#8230; for 35 years now. I struggled with my weight for as long as I remember and now, at 50 its the pain and aches, the daily fight. The weight keeps coming back&#8230;no matter what. How do I change myself&#8230; and then it got me thinking, WHEN do we &#8216;EXACTLY&#8217; change. </p><p>It doesnt come from external advice, nor does it come from our own knowledge, and havent we all got plenty of that? Thats just information, readily available at the fingertips nowadays with AI. </p><p>I am talking about our inner compass- when does the needle finally move? </p><p>&#8216;Only at the precipice, we change&#8217;, said Klaatu in the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2008). </p><p>When exactly do we reach that point? </p><p>Lets take the car as an analagy. What moves a car? Let&#8217;s say, the car is the human. I see the accelerator as the desire and the breaks as the pains. And we need both to drive safely.</p><p>So then, the two things that move the human car, are DESIRES and SUFFERING. First comes the desire- when something better enters our awareness. A glimpse of what else is available out there.. we see others who have it, we see their joy enjyoing it (who cares about their struggles, right? It all looks so good on the social media feed).. so now we &#8216;wish&#8217; we had that. There.. now the desire is born. </p><p>What happens next is something magical, its unseen, yet extremely powerful. The second we call it out and make a wish.. we have set the entire universe into motion- everything starts shuffling and rearranging to land the desire. </p><p>While that happens on the outside, what we feel next is &#8216;Pain&#8217;, coz you see, pain is the only &#8216;pivot&#8217;. If you are not thirsty, you wont make the effort to get up and get a glass of water, correct? The thought of a cool glass of clean water makes you look for the bottle, reach out for the glass. So the thirst makes you make the effort. Similarly, the pain of staying the same will now become strong, its not the &#8216;comfort zone&#8217; anymore, now its a prison. Now you&#8217;re not just thirsty, you are parched. </p><p>You feel like you are stuck. This is suffering. The knowledge of what is possible and then feeling helpless getting it. </p><p>Now this state will last for a while and get stronger day by day. Together (the desire and the pain) will create a magnetic effect- a great pull towards your desire. But not everyone know how to navigate this phase of great force within. It will feel like a war has begun. For some, it may feel like death. You may even question your very existence. </p><p>&#8216;Who am I?&#8217;, &#8216;What is the purpose of my life?&#8217;, &#8216;How do I even matter?&#8217; these are some of the questions you may start asking yourself. You lose all meanings of life to the point, you may not even have the desire anymore, coz at this point, the only thing you feel is the pain, the exrcuciating pain and all you can think of is relief. </p><p>Some will surrender to the &#8216;Life force&#8217;, some may give up all hope and exit life. Those who choose to stay&#8230; are in for a magical universe where everything simply flows, easy, smooth. Pain and suffering havent departed and they never will for as long as we live. But something shifted now. </p><p>You see things as they are.. you dont make a mountain out of a mole hill and biggest change is you let 'The Life force&#8217; guide you through every challenge. That compass now starts moving. And that&#8217;s when great things start happening. It wakes you up with a great nudge from within- pushes you to take actions you never planned or even thought you could do. You have now opened the great door of Possibilities and Opportunities- not just outside, but within yourself. You discover the mighty potential you were born with. </p><p>That desire you had, now comes to fruition. Dreams land. </p><p>Looking back, thats exactly how I manifested my vision board in 3 months.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lean into your inner compass to set goals]]></title><description><![CDATA[Quarter 1 is done.]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/lean-into-your-inner-compass-to-set</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/lean-into-your-inner-compass-to-set</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:38:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kkok!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fede8de84-7fac-43b1-8025-6dd29a32fcd7_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Quarter 1 is done.</p><p></p><p>I like to think of the year in seasons&#8212;and Season 1 of 2026 has already moved us forward, whether we realised it or not.</p><p></p><p>Now comes the moment many people feel overwhelmed.</p><p>12 weeks go&#8230;</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Bookshelf Entered Her Main Character Era]]></title><description><![CDATA[My IKEA bookshelf has lived through more identities than I have.]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/my-bookshelf-entered-her-main-character</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/my-bookshelf-entered-her-main-character</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 03:07:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BI2_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faed014d1-76c2-459d-9618-55631a435f77_4779x2998.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My IKEA bookshelf has lived through more identities than I have. Once it held thirty-six planners, then it morphed into a shrine for self-growth books&#8230; and now, she&#8217;s entered her Main Character era, &#8230;</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Many Signs Does It Take to See Yourself?]]></title><description><![CDATA[As the muse, not the martyr.]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/how-many-signs-does-it-take-to-see</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/how-many-signs-does-it-take-to-see</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:59:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kkok!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fede8de84-7fac-43b1-8025-6dd29a32fcd7_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was rewatching <em>Sex and the City </em>last night and it wasnt the same anymore. Is it bcoz I am not the same anymore? Dont get me wrong.. I loooove Carrie Bradshaw. At one point, she was painfully relata&#8230;</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is The Main Character Club]]></title><description><![CDATA[What brings me here]]></description><link>https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/coming-soon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/p/coming-soon</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shom Pal]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:12:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yb0J!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F08845660-dce7-4723-8538-0bc33b9f58ee_2448x3264.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>First post.</strong><br>I&#8217;m so delighted to be here. &#10024;</p><p>The <em>Main Character Club</em> is more than a publication for me &#8212; it&#8217;s a lifelong dream. Some may relate, watching Carrie Bradshaw by the window, writing for New York Observer about women, love, and life in the city that never sleeps.</p><p>That&#8217;s been my secret dream for years. Little did I know, life had its own plot twists &#8212; treasures disguised as traumas, wounds that became wisdom &#8212; all shaping me into the main character I am today.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yb0J!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F08845660-dce7-4723-8538-0bc33b9f58ee_2448x3264.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yb0J!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F08845660-dce7-4723-8538-0bc33b9f58ee_2448x3264.jpeg 424w, 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Smiling broad in front of Carrie Bradshaw&#8217; apartment, NYC, Sept. 2015</figcaption></figure></div><p>I&#8217;m here to find my girls and I know I am at the right place.</p><p>Will you join me in this magnificent era of being our own muses &#8212; indulging in glow-up rituals, shaming the body-shaming mindset, holding KEEP, TOSS AND MAYBE cards as we go through life&#8217;s many choices and evolving together as the stars of our own stories? &#128139;</p><h3><a href="https://www.themaincharacterclub.com/about">Read More About this Club</a></h3><p></p><p class="button-wrapper" 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