Such a routine question. “Come stai?” But try asking a distant acquaintance (or any random stranger) on an Italian beach in summer and brace yourself for the hour-long conversation that will follow.

Answers will detail how many hours slept and the quality of sleep, the state of bowels and urination, if the appetite is normal, how the stomach feels, if there are any sore muscles, how healthy teeth and gums are, and if there is any hint of a headache.

If any blood tests have been done recently the conversation will cover key results, and how to improve any findings that are off, such as cholesterol. Descriptions will follow of diets tried, the miracle of kiwis, herbal remedies, new pills on the horizon, special yoghurts, or anything that will fix whatever item needs improvement.

If you are at the centre of the universe then every day you need to have an awareness of the most important thing in the world—you.

By going abroad I was surprised that internal systems seem to work without monitoring. Bowel movements, sleep patterns—these things work without constant checking!

And equally surprised that the last thing we monitor is our true selves, our souls. As if we expect it all to work. As if it does not matter.