Michael Stipe
American singer
Can I say: maybe tomorrow?
When were you happiest?
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Whenever I’m with my wife and I’m not preoccupied with work.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 June 2024 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 576 →
Brian Cox
Scottish actor
I’ve had a lot of happiness in my life: 1) the birth of my children; 2) getting into Lamda when I was 17; 3) meeting my wife; 4) and the renewal of our marriage vows and my 60th birthday.
Jeanette Winterson
Novelist and essayist
Happiness is planting the vegetables, sleeping with my girlfriend, running, doing my work, sitting by the fire with a book and a glass of wine... I need a reason to be unhappy, but do not need one to be quietly cheerful.
Christopher Eccleston
English actor
Now. I am father to Albert, seven, and Esme, six. I’ve never experienced happiness as complete as caring for them.
More from Clive Myrie
View profile →Surviving this world.
As a decent bloke.
The usual racist shit.
Being called upon by President Bush to ask him a question at a press conference when I wasn’t there. He called my name … and there was no response!
Be kind and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Other people’s suffering.
More on time & hindsight
- What is the most important lesson life has taught you? 132 answers
- What advice would you give your twenty-year-old self, and what should they ignore? 72 answers
- What scares you about getting older? 59 answers
- What is the best advice you have ever received? 25 answers
- If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere, what would it say and why? 23 answers
- What is something you were told by a parent, teacher, or mentor that you still repeat to yourself? 22 answers
Also answered this · A–Z
Alan Johnson, Andrew Marr, Angela Eagle, Anita Rani, Barbara Walters, Bob Schieffer
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