Life on Autopilot: The NPC Syndrome

Have you ever felt like you're stuck in traffic? Where you’re watching the world pass by? Maybe you’re trapped in a rut? That was me in my early twenties. It was as if I were a passenger on a never-ending train loop. Stuck. Never reaching a destination. Never truly engaging with the journey. 

I was like a robot. Eat. Uni. Work. Sleep. Repeat. Days blurred into one another. I found myself going through the motions. Going with the flow. Never questioning whether it can get better. When decisions were made, they were done out of habit rather than intention. I call this vibe the “NPC Syndrome”.

NPC is a gaming term to describe a “non-player character.” They are programmed to follow a set pattern. This means that life has been designed for them: how they talk, how they love, what they eat. Even their job title is predetermined.

And how does this relate back to life? NPC Syndrome can be seen as a lack of personal autonomy. It’s life on autopilot mode. It represents a state of disengagement from one's life. It's my fav metaphor to describe people who feel stuck in a rut. Most live unaware, preferring to ride the never-ending train. Living aimlessly. But, deep in their psyche, they long to live purposefully. 

Falling into NPC Syndrome is a common experience, and it can creep into our lives unnoticed. But here’s some good news - it’s easy enough to escape.

The first step is to be conscious. When we know that life is set to cruise control, we can take back the steering wheel, turn into a driver, and be less of a passenger.

Here are traits that may indicate you are living an NPC life (and how to counter them): 

Meaninglessly Meandering: We prefer to stay on our smartphones, meaninglessly scrolling on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or any social platforms. Scared to dwell on our boredom or face our realities.

Counter this meandering by controlling how much time we are spending on our phones. When I’m having dinner with loved ones, I have a rule where we don’t touch our phones. The attention is focused on having a conversation. 

Lack of Self-Reflection: An NPC doesn't engage in introspection. They fail to recognise they're living authentically. The lack of self-awareness, the inability to recognise or question their lack of independence.

Counter this by writing a journal and setting a time to do this on a regular basis. I am writing more to develop my own mental models and surfacing my awareness. 

Dependence on External Control: They rely on external influences, rules, or routines to guide their actions rather than making their own choices.

This one is challenging. Being aware of how society works and where we fit in the world. This is more about political and societal awareness. 

Absence of Personal Goals: They don't have personal aspirations that drive their actions. They follow the "script" laid out for them.

You can start by setting a higher goal. Clarity happens when you know how to live meaningfully. The arbitrary goal is saying, “I want to get a million dollars”. A true goal typically aligns with your personal belief system. 

Lack of Initiative: They don't take steps to change their situation for the better. 

It’s easier to go with the flow. It’s easier to not question life or where we go. But living authentically without any regrets is a powerful incentive. 

A common thread found in all these traits is to gain self-awareness. 

This is a reminder that autonomy is not just about grand decisions and defining moments. It's about the everyday choices that shape our lives. Little habits that compound for the better. 

Again, to escape NPC syndrome, all you have to do is have introspection, mindfulness, and a renewed commitment to living intentionally.

Even I need to regularly review my life. I often draw valuable lessons to escape the NPC mode.

As I've gotten older, I've started to realise that I need to take care of myself. But I had this idea stuck in my head that I just didn't like exercising. Then, I went for my yearly health tests, and my doctor tells me my cholesterol is a bit high for my age. A shock to the system, to say the least!

I could've easily blamed it on my love for fried chicken, but that would've been dodging responsibility. It's interesting how we tend to do things when they're fun and avoid them when they're boring. So, I figured, I need to trick my brain that exercise is fun. It worked. Along the way, I built new habits to strive to be healthier. 

It's all too easy to slip into the role of an NPC in our own lives, following a script laid out by habit, expectation, or fear. But the realisation that we can take control, that we can choose to live intentionally and authentically, is empowering. Whether it's making healthier choices, pursuing a passion, or simply being present in the moment, we have the ability to steer our own course.

The NPC Syndrome is not a life sentence. It's a choice to wake up and engage with our lives fully. Are you ready to take control of your life? Be the driver who enjoys the ride.