The Art of Being Alone - By Nomhle Putuka

Written By: Nomhle Putuka

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Nomhle Putuka, writing as Mallorca, offers a compelling exploration in her essay "The Art of Being Alone." Submitted for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece delves into the nuances of solitude from the perspective of an extrovert. Through her personal journey in Mallorca, Nomhle presents a narrative on self-discovery and the unexpected joys of spending time alone.

About the Work

"The Art of Being Alone" paints a vivid picture of transformation through solitude. Nomhle captures the reader with her candid reflections and humor, sharing insights gained from her experiences in Mallorca. The essay is rich with imagery, depicting the warmth of human connection and the beauty of embracing one's own company. Her narrative invites readers to reflect on the importance of reconnecting with oneself.

Mallorca

Original Submission by Nomhle Putuka

The art of being alone.

- by an extreme extrovert!

If you know me, you know that I HATE being alone. The thought of sitting on a bench outside all by myself gave me nightmares! But now, here I am, writing this on a bench outside — all by myself.

During my time here in Mallorca, I’ve learnt to be by myself and to enjoy my own company. At first, this was super difficult! I thought I would go insane but then, thank God I did not, I learnt a whole lot about myself and the world around me.

First of all, people are generally nice. I’m often warmly greeted, “Hola,” by strangers passing by. However, it’s not only this that makes me say that people are generally nice. It’s the fact that there’s an exchange made between me and the passer-by. An unspoken exchange: we are both spiritual beings on a human journey and I respect you. Yes, I got all of that from a simple smile.

Second of all, it’s easy to spot tourists. Yes, yes, I can call them tourists. I’ve been living here for the past five months. Not a tourist. So as a non-tourist who was once a tourist here, I can easily spot them. They’ll usually be found wearing comfortable walking shoes, bright coloured clothes and share a meal at the restaurants near the local church.

And last but not least, I’m actually quite fun to be around. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m damn funny! But seriously, I have learnt to enjoy my own company. I now know that I love an espresso with a dash of honey, the sky is blue and flowers are God’s gift to man — I say this as someone with intense hay fever. I think it is important for each of us to experience some alone time. Time out and away is necessary. To simply re-connect with yourself and the world around you. It’s essentially an essential.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices in literature. It provides a platform for writers worldwide to showcase their unique stories and perspectives across poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing. This esteemed event fosters a community of creativity and literary excellence.

Thank you, Nomhle Putuka, for your insightful essay "The Art of Being Alone," submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your words offer a refreshing perspective on solitude and self-discovery. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your thoughtful work.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.