We recently had the chance to connect with Ciara Hendrix and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ciara, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I recently went to an R&B party with my friends and we spent the whole night dancing and celebrating being together – joy honestly isn’t a large enough word!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ciara and I’m a poet born and raised in Broward County.
Currently, I’m working on finalizing my poetry collection so that I can send it out and submit it for publishing. I’ve also just launched a new Substack titled ‘The Indigo Salon’ which will focus on Black culture & history as well as literature, fashion, and the different intersections of beauty within our community.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
In the last few years, I’ve shed so many layers of myself through shadow work and reflection. I’m grateful for it ALL!
I am releasing the part of me that’s afraid to be visible. My imagination and faith in myself are boundless these days.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her (and I do this often) that she belongs here. Trigger warning : I’m someone who has dealt with suicidal ideation and have also made several attempts throughout my life. So, to feel a sense of belonging in the world and to be held & loved by my various communities is something that definitely keeps me above ground.
It gets lonely being a writer and sometimes, your solitude is detrimental. Having anchors in the physical realm is crucial.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. There are parts of me I keep tucked away for myself, though. It’s important to me as a writer to maintain a version of myself that ONLY I know, but I always aim to move through the world with authenticity.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. That’s actually a huge part of my writing process – shutting out the world’s opinions before I even get started. When I was younger, it felt like I lived to please other people without ever taking a moment to consider how I felt. As I grew into myself, it became easier to live and write more freely, and trust that what I’m creating is valuable, even if the work never sees the light of day.
Creating for the sole purpose of applause and external validation is a betrayal to the craft, and to the self. What matters most concerning my praxis, is the level of trust I have in my work. I write because it is necessary & I have an obligation to tell the truth as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theindigosalon.substack.com
- Instagram: cicispillsink
Image Credits
images 1 -3 by Jessica Fontaine
image 4 (with mic) by Steve Spanoudis from Arts Garage Delray
image 5 (florals) by Dennica Worrell
