The media are at it again.
It’s not about method acting this time but related to acting at large.
Let me explain.
Prince Harry was interviewed yesterday and was asked to comment on the upsurge in resignations from jobs during the Pandemic.
“a lot of the job resignations you mention aren’t all bad. In fact, it is a sign that with self-awareness comes the need for change. Many people around the world have been stuck in jobs that didn’t bring them joy, and now they’re putting their mental health and happiness first. This is something to be celebrated.”
Now, what are the media saying about this?
Well, here is a headline that’s out there:
Prince Harry Says People Should Quit Their Jobs If It’s Negatively Affecting Their Mental Health
Or
Some people like to work! ‘Privileged’ Prince Harry is SLAMMED on social media for saying that leaving your job will bolster ‘mental health awakening’ during new interview to promote startup.
Or
Prince Harry Is Happy You Quit Your Job
Now, I’m talking about this because if you are not careful, the media can end up brainwashing you into thinking what they want you to think rather than the truth.
- Harry never said anyone should quit their job or that he would be happy if you quit your job.
- He never said you shouldn’t work. Implied in the second headline.
- He never said that leaving your job will bolster your mental health.
What he did say is that if your job is making you unhappy, then good for you if you have decided to get out of said job and go for something different.
What is wrong with that? Why is he being ridiculed?
Let me tell you why. The world has brainwashed society into believing that you should be following a certain path in life, and if you don’t, you are strange, weird or downright bad.
We are brainwashed in this country from when we are knee-high to ducks to believe that if we don’t study hard at school, get good grades, get a well-paid job(it doesn’t matter if you don’t like it, join the club, no one likes it), get married, have kids, get a house and a car, save for our retirement (so important right? because then at the age of 65 you are going to start doing what you really wanted to do all along) then you NOT be happy!
What a lie we have been sold. I’m not saying that there are not things to be enjoyed in the above plan, but thinking that you must hold down a job you don’t like doesn’t need to be one of them.
Think about this for a moment.
What is life about?
Is it not for you to find happiness and some meaning in your life?
I would say that’s a large part of it, and if you sacrifice that because you are trying to keep to ‘the plan’ society has for you, then you will potentially miss out on why you were put on planet earth.
Good on Harry for calling this.
But guess what? He has been trolled to within an inch of his life on social media; those that have committed to the ‘the plan’ can’t stand being told that it doesn’t need to be that way, especially from a Prince.
Let me tell you something—Prince or not, we all have choices in this life.
When I was 18, I worked in a bank and hated every minute of it, but I decided to escape and become an actor instead. It didn’t happen overnight, but I put my own plan in place to make it happen and worked at it every day.
It’s easy to look at successful people and think it’s okay for them, but for the vast majority of them, they started out with nothing and made it happen.
Yes, I know Harry was born into the Royalty, but he still had the courage to leave when it wasn’t making him happy and find another way.
Many (if not most) actors started out with nothing. They had no experience, no acting skills, no money, or resources, but they had one important quality – resourcefulness.
Don’t let society and the media dictate your story. Make it your story, with your choices. I know it will not always be easy, there will be tough times for sure, but that, my Grasshopper, is part of a life well-lived.