Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Kim.
Hi Sara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
On paper, it looked like I had it all in my 20s. I graduated from a top Texas law school, got married, bought a house in the suburbs and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Everything seemed picture perfect, but things aren’t always as they seem… My husband at the time and I separated before my son turned 1, and we finalized our divorce in less than a year (and a couple of weeks before my birthday). It was a very difficult divorce that seriously impacted my well-being. I was so drained that all I wanted to do was shut down, but my responsibility as a mother made me pick myself up. I decided to approach this life change as an opportunity to re-write my story the way I wanted. I went back to work full-time, made it a priority to take care of myself, reconnected with friends, built new and meaningful relationships and rediscovered my passions – essentiality, I focused on my happy. One of my outlets during this period was Instagram. I originally made the account @atxfitfoodie as a way to hold myself accountable (working out, meal prepping, etc.) and as a way to connect with a community (new, stay-at-home mom isolation is no joke). As I grew and evolved, so did my account, and I re-branded at the beginning of this year to @thatsarakim. I share snippets about my life and experiences, highlight the local food and beverage scene, support small businesses, feature Texas-related travel and incorporate a lot of puns while trying to remain open and authentic with my audience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You don’t get a rainbow without a little (or a lot of) rain – and that must be why my life is so vibrant now! Life is full of challenges, and I’ve definitely experienced my fair share over the past years. My separation and divorce were very hard and contentious leaving me mentally, physically, emotionally and financially exhausted. Shortly after my divorce, my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Navigating life as a newly single, full-time working, first-time mom while trying to learn about special needs and special needs parenting was quite the roller coaster experience. While these “bumps” in the road lead me on a different path than my type-A personality had planned for, the journey has proven more beautiful. Along the way, I grew as a person and as a mother rediscovering and redefining a stronger and happier version of myself. Like the spectrum of a rainbow – life is better in color and full of possibilities (you just need to weather the storm).
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think it’s apparent I didn’t end up practicing law – haha. I figured out halfway through law school that I didn’t want to be an attorney, but I decided to finish my degree. What I discovered instead was my passion to help people and advocate for social justice issues. I’ve worked in a variety of roles within non-profits, government, public policy, business development/marketing and social media management. I deviated from my career path to find work-life balance as a single mom to a child with special needs wanting to ensure he received early interventions. My background is in domestic violence, but I currently work for a behavioral health hospital. I’m most proud of the survivors and families I’ve had the privilege to support in the past during some of their darkest moments. Additionally, I’m happy to have found employment that affords me the ability to prioritize the needs of my family. I think my resilience, positive attitude and determination sets me apart. I’m able to adapt and problem-solve even in crisis situations.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For those starting out in their professional careers (whether it’s straight out of school or a new career path) – nothing is written in stone. We can’t control life, so be flexible and open to change and opportunities. And remember that a job is a job. Don’t let it change who you are at your foundation, and re-evaluate if it is impacting you negatively.
For those starting out in social media – be authentic and don’t compare yourself to others (easier said than done, right?). I didn’t enter the Instagram world with the intention of becoming an “influencer,” so I think I come at this from a different perspective. Be patient with your growth, use your platform and voice that’s true to yourself and don’t get wrapped-up in the numbers and FOMO. People will appreciate you for being real.
Contact Info:
- Email: thatsarakim@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsarakim
- Other: TikTok: @thatsarakim
