Penny Lancaster: What thought won't let you sleep? — FLAPSS

The question

What thought won't let you sleep?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A long-running fixed question in The Guardian's weekly Q&A questionnaire.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

PL

Penny Lancaster

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The children. As a mother you are constantly worrying whether you’ve done the right thing.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Edwina Currie Former British politician, broadcaster and writer

Anxiety. Usually the best response is to think hard about things, work up some solutions and then go to sleep.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2017 source ↗

Harriet Walter English actress

Everything. I’ve one of those brains that doesn’t quieten down.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2017 source ↗

Roger Allam English actor

The third or fourth glass of wine.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2017 source ↗

Lil Nas X American rapper

Figuring out the best way to introduce the next version of myself.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 May 2024 source ↗

More from Penny Lancaster

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Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

It was reading out loud, but no longer. (I am dyslexic.) I was encouraged by my husband to do a speech for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, which helped me gain my confidence, and the fear disappeared.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

In a different sense, I’ve helped to try to resuscitate a dead man.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Trusting someone and being let down.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

An English teacher said, “You’ll never make anything of yourself.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Honest, empathetic, daring.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m a bit of a hoarder.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

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