The Year of the Devil Wears Prada

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Dear M,

Today is the last day of your job, and I think it's important to write you this letter so you don't forget some things you've learned over the past year. You have a tendency to walk away from something, then romanticize the good aspects later and wonder why you ever left. In case you ever forget, I thought I might remind you with this letter before your memory becomes hazy.

When you found this position, it read like a dream job. It was perfect in every way - and who actually lands a job on the spot at their first interview with a company? It's okay to remember the elation and relief brought by being offered a job back in your beloved field of print. But remember, too, how quickly that perfection turned into your year of living through "The Devil Wears Prada."

Remember how difficult it was to work with people who don't have the time to understand the complex web updating information you tried to share. Remember how you were brushed off when asking questions because people were too busy. Remember how you tried, to the best of your abilities, to do everything that was asked of you correctly and efficiently only to be told it was never enough or go unrecognized for your hard work - or worse, watch someone else take credit for it.

Remember how it felt to be cornered about your name accidentally being left in another publication - AFTER everyone else in the office was asked about it rather than coming to you first. Remember how it felt to be screamed at for a simple mistake made by someone else - and for joking about it, you were reamed. Remember how completely shaken to the core you felt when you were blown up at for "typing too loudly."

Remember how you were told you were just average, even though you continually went above and beyond and made sure every assignment you were given was always completed - and your publication was always on or ahead of schedule. And when you tried to change that perception, remember how unwilling they were to change that perception. Remember how appalled you were by the amount of judgement constantly happening around you. No one is immune, but there is a fine line between making a comment occasionally and making a comment always.

And, in the end, be proud that you stood up to these people and said, "If I'm not good enough for you, I'll find somewhere that thinks I am."

Because you ARE good enough. And you WILL find somewhere that accepts you for you.

As of 3 p.m. today, I officially proclaim the year of The Devil Wears Prada over.

Love,
yourself