Between Chanel Boots and Resilience: The Glow Up According to Andrea Sachs

As the Christmas festivities fade away, the famous New Year's resolutions for 2025 loom on the horizon. The ones we’ll never keep, or maybe just for a month if we’re disciplined enough.

Among them, the term “glow up” is everywhere. And to illustrate this phenomenon, what better than The Devil Wears Prada? Yes, we’ve all dreamed of Andrea’s glow up and that iconic Chanel boots scene. Who hasn’t seriously imagined ditching a pragmatic, pessimistic boyfriend for a stunning writer (with a smile to die for)?

Andrea’s choices are debatable, but when it comes to the glow up, there’s no argument.

What stands out most in her transformation is the concept of resilience.

If you thought this article would indulge in your misery, think again. Andrea, despite being a victim of her own existence at times, never lets herself be defeated. And it’s this very resilience that forged her character and earned Miranda’s admiration.

But then, how do we cultivate resilience in our darkest moments, when there’s no Nigel at hand to guide us?

Less fashionable than a Chanel suit, but just as effective, let me introduce you to inner work.

Inner work refers to a set of tools that help heal certain parts of ourselves that prevent us from evolving (and, quite possibly, from glowing up). It’s simply about reconnecting with yourself to identify what no longer aligns with your deepest aspirations. Inner work can take many forms: a session with a therapist, meditation, physical activity, or even a moment of dancing.

However, what proves to be most powerful are shadow work prompts.

Shadow work prompts are tools that, through targeted questions, help uncover and work through certain blockages or inner wounds. These questions explore the hidden parts of our psyche, often referred to as "shadow sides," which can sometimes limit our personal growth.

Let’s take Andrea as an example: her constant need for approval at the beginning of the film provides an excellent starting point for reflection. Here are a few shadow work prompts inspired by this theme:

• Do you seek validation from external sources, like Andrea’s initial desire to be recognized at Runway?

• Are there parts of yourself that you hide or repress to better meet others’ expectations?

• What fears prevent you from fully embodying your most authentic self?

• Have you ever felt like you had to sacrifice your true nature to succeed or fit in?

These questions are just a few examples, intended to spark your reflection. The goal is not to answer them immediately, but to take the time to explore them: write in a journal, let your thoughts wander, see what emerges. The key is to listen to yourself while evolving at your own pace.

This inner work exercise can be difficult because it leaves no room for the fake – only for the authentic, what resonates with you and needs healing. The most important thing isn’t to fight against what you feel, but to learn to be comfortable with discomfort.

By delving into these subjects, you give the powerful, authentic woman within you the chance to break free from the chains that prevent her from fully revealing herself.

The questions presented mostly focus on approval and legitimacy, but you can just as well draw inspiration from the film to explore other themes; for example, Miranda’s struggle to express her vulnerability.

Let yourself be guided by your feelings, the first step is often the hardest, but once you take it, everything aligns.