Here in Rome, we’ve been in near total lock-down for three weeks now, closing down schools, universities, churches, scout meetings and events, and plenty more. My teaching has moved online (and without too many issues), some scout meetings too, and we’re adjusting to a new normal that may well be the case for a few weeks to come. Fighting the corona virus is no blitzkrieg but a long war of attrition. Brace yourself.

Spending more time at home, in my room, at my desk has also obliged me to reconsider the impact of social media on me especially in times like these. I’m trying to pull back (though not completely) from Facebook — usually a great platform to keep in touch with many friends throughout the world. But these days I realise that it’s becoming too much: I already keep up with official sources, and do not need to be neck-deep in coronavirus posts all the time. Add to that the doom and gloom, and the ill-informed posts, all of which drive me up the wall, and rev up my anxiety levels. Never has the unfollow button come in so handy — apologies, but sometimes it is healthier to pull back then react … we all need to take care on our mental health too.

A moments of crisis like things also reminds me to reconnect with what is life-giving in my life, a source of wisdom. These days, one reflection has returned time and again … key lessons that I learnt, based on my experience of pilgrimage (which I have shared here a few months ago: “We are all backpackers”. Wisdom of a wayfarer). I felt also the need to find some respite in creativity and beauty, and so I combined the two, choosing and editing five photographs that somehow represent the five key lessons. I opted to share them on Instagram (and Facebook), hoping that they brighten up someone else’s day too.

Each photo has its own story, which I plan to share with you over the coming days and weeks.