How The Devil Wears Prada Changed My Life

Some movies are just movies. You watch them, you laugh, maybe you cry, and then you move on. But every once in a while, a movie cracks something open inside of you, and for me, that movie was The Devil Wears Prada.

At the time, I was in school for social work. I thought I knew where my life was headed, or at least, I thought I was supposed to know. But sitting there watching Anne Hathaway stumble her way into the glossy, high-pressure world of Runway magazine, something shifted. I didn’t just see Andi Sachs trying to prove herself, I saw myself, restless, itching for something more aligned with who I was becoming. By the time the credits rolled, I knew deep down that I wasn’t on the right path. Within months, I dropped out, switched majors, and threw myself into journalism. It was terrifying, exhilarating, and ultimately the best decision I’ve ever made.

That movie didn’t just entertain me; it gave me permission. Permission to imagine a different future, to leave behind a version of myself that wasn’t working, and to start fresh. Sometimes, that’s all it takes, a spark. A story, a line, even a scene that whispers, your life could look different, if you let it.

Looking back now, I realize how bold it felt to make such a drastic change at that age. Dropping out, rerouting my entire education, and stepping into a field I had no roadmap for. But here’s the truth no one really tells you: it’s never too late to change directions. Whether you’re in your twenties trying to pick a major, in your thirties realizing the job you have isn’t the one you want, or even further down the line craving something new, it’s always possible. We’re allowed to grow out of our first choices. We’re allowed to say, “This isn’t for me anymore,” and start over.

Of course, change comes with fear. What if it doesn’t work out? What if people don’t understand? What if I regret it? I had all those thoughts too. But regret, I’ve learned, is far more likely to come from staying stuck than from taking a chance. Even if your new path doesn’t look exactly the way you pictured, the act of choosing differently, of choosing yourself, is powerful in itself.

When I look back at that moment, sitting in a theater watching Miranda Priestly cut people down with a glance and Andi Sachs slowly transform, I don’t just remember the movie. I remember the jolt of clarity that told me: You don’t have to settle for a life that doesn’t fit. That’s the gift The Devil Wears Prada gave me, and it’s the gift I hope you’ll give yourself if you’re standing at a crossroads.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to change majors, switch careers, or completely reimagine your path, let this be it. Because sometimes, the right story at the right time can change everything, and if a movie can do it, so can you.