Kerry Parnell: What’s wrong with making a Megxit anyway?
Fallout continues over Harry and Meghan’s chucking of the royal towel, but shouldn’t we admire a couple for doing exactly what they want when they’re miserable, asks Kerry Parnell.
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Haven’t you ever wanted to dramatically jack it all in; to tell your boss to stuff it, or to leg it as far as you can from a relationship?
As the fallout continues over Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s chucking of the royal towel, a part of me admires them for doing exactly what they want. They were clearly miserable and decided to do something about it.
Admittedly, that’s not so hard when you have a few million in your current account and the bank of daddy to withdraw from for all those private jet trips you need to take, or now, the endless flights back and forth from Canada for work (the team at Prince Harry’s eco-travel initiative Travalyst must be currently feeding their mission statement into the shredder and weeping). But still, I applaud them for telling everyone to stuff it, in the nicest possible way.
Making a Megxit can be extremely satisfying – I once took a job for the money and company car, only to realise within weeks I had made a terrible mistake and would have to make a Faustian pact if I wanted to succeed in that toxic workplace. I didn’t, so I picked up my bag and walked out.
I’ve moved from the UK to Australia and back three times – which could be a Triple Megxit – or alternatively, just having new adventures.
A good friend once ditched a boyfriend by going travelling around the world for a year and not telling him, which was harsh but effective. Unfortunately, the first person she bumped into on her return home was him. “He asked me if I had had a good time, and when I answered yes, walked off silently,” she said. Awkward.
I have two ex-colleagues who while on a dream holiday concluded their job was a nightmare, so called to resign while still on the beach. And I have endless tales of newspaper journos telling their bosses where to go in HR-unapproved language, never to be seen again.
Then there’s the teacher I know who, disillusioned at the end of another hard day, handed in her notice and told her husband they were moving to France. They did and 10 years and five kids later, her first novel is about to come out.
Nobody need live a life that makes them unhappy, even if they are public figures.
“If being involved in your job or relationship means you find that you bring negative energy into your home and those around you, then it is time for a change,” says clinical psychologist Sally-Anne McCormack. “Unhealthy environments cause physical and mental distress and walking away from the source of your issues can allow you to feel free and relieved.”
However, she warns making a dramatic change doesn’t always guarantee a better life – so be certain your alternative is worth it. “With all change comes unforeseeable circumstances, both good and bad, so after making the decision to leave, you may then have to see how the cards fall.”
In the poker game of life, let’s hope Harry and Meghan’s wildcard gamble proves a royal flush.