We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Pascarella recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I hope my legacy inspires people to embrace joy and playfulness in their everyday lives. Moving to Paris has been a transformative experience for me, but I’ve noticed that the culture of the city can sometimes lean toward seriousness, even a sort of performative cynicism. I want to show people that life doesn’t have to be so heavy. Through my work and way I live, I hope I remind others to find humor in the little things, to laugh often, and prioritize connection and creativity. Life is short, and I think we all benefit from not taking ourselves too seriously.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m currently an Aupair in Paris, France, teaching English while interacting daily with two French children. I share my experiences on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and soon, YouTube, offering a unique perspective on life in this iconic city.

I originally started creating content on TikTok as a personal journal to document my experiences living in Paris. It was a way to capture the small, everyday moments I wanted to reflect on later. To my surprise, my content gained traction, especially with the French audience, as I offered a fresh take on their strong culture. What began as a simple way to reflect on my journey has grown into a full-time job. I love the art of storytelling, connecting with people from all walks of life, and adding humor to the lives of others.

What sets me apart is my ability to present life, especially my experience in Paris, in an honest, sometimes raw, and humorous way. While Paris is often romanticized as the perfect city, I focus on the real, unpolished moments—the French bureaucracy, language barriers, and the daily challenges of living abroad. I embrace the imperfections, finding joy in them rather than trying to hide them. In a world obsessed with perfection, I think my ability to keep things real and still celebrate life’s beauty resonates with people.

My work spans a variety of creative outlets. I offer tattooing services from my apartment, shoot film photography, create engaging content for brands, work as an au pair, supporting my host family while embracing cultural exchange, and am building ‘Hippy in the City’—a brand that reflects my passion for sustainability, creativity, and raw femininity. Through ‘Hippy in the City,’ I hope to offer eco-conscious fashion, home décor, and postcards that reflects my travels and inspires others to live authentically and embrace the vibrant, multifaceted nature of a woman’s life.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in pursuing my passions and building a life that reflects my true self. Each step, whether it’s in my art, content, or business, has been a piece of a larger journey to create something meaningful and connected to who I am. My goal is always to stay true to myself and help others do the same—living with intention, embracing the messiness, and finding beauty in every moment.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After graduating from California State University, Long Beach with degrees in Interior Architecture and Journalism, I realized something important: despite my solid academic background, my cultural knowledge felt limited. I knew I needed to step outside my comfort zone and experience life from completely different perspectives in order to truly grow, both personally and professionally.

I was working at a respected architecture firm, which many would consider a great opportunity, but deep down I felt something was missing. I wanted to understand people in a deeper way, to immerse myself in cultures far from my own. So, I made the bold decision to quit my job and move to Paris to become an au pair.

This shift wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to live amongst people from different walks of life, immerse myself in a new language, and learn how to navigate daily life in a culture completely different from my own. I’ve gained invaluable lessons from this experience—lessons in adaptability, creativity, and understanding the world through diverse perspectives. This move reshaped my approach to both my personal life and my work, and it’s what ultimately led to the creation of ‘Hippy in the City’ and my career as a content creator.

Making that pivot was one of the scariest and most rewarding decisions of my life, and it taught me that sometimes, the best way to learn and grow is to step away from what seems like the obvious path and embrace the unknown. Here we are over one year later, looking to gain EU citizenship.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is that there is no one-size-fits-all path to success, especially as a creative. Society often tells us that the traditional route—go to college, get a degree, and then climb the corporate ladder—is the only way to achieve fulfillment. While I did pursue a degree, I didn’t follow the classic path of staying at a firm after graduation, even though that would have been the ‘logical’ step for someone with my qualifications.

I believe the most important thing is to listen to your heart and gut, not just follow a prescribed path. You don’t need to live your life based on societal expectations or what others think is best for you. Sometimes, the most unconventional choices lead to the most fulfilling experiences. For me, quitting a well-projected career in architecture to become an au pair in Paris was a leap that made no traditional sense, but it allowed me to grow in ways I never could have predicted.

Creativity thrives when we’re true to ourselves, and sometimes that means stepping off the beaten path. It doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else, as long as you’re happy and aligned with your own journey. I think more people need to embrace that it’s okay to carve your own path, life is short and who is anyone else to know what we’re doing here!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.braintabsblog.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasscarella/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasscarella/