Shobna Gulati: What scares you about getting older?

What scares you about getting older?

Originally asked

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

A newer fixed question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A pool.

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

Recorded Shobna Gulati said elsewhere, not written here

Nothing. I’m curious how things will evolve.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Maurice Sendak Children's author and illustrator

I cry a lot because I miss people. I cry a lot because they die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more. ... And so it's what I dread more than anything is the isolation.

Recorded Terry Gross, Fresh Air, NPR — recorded by telephone in September 2011, his last interview, 20 September 2011 source ↗

Nuala McGovern

Running out of time.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2025 source ↗

Ally McCoist

Losing the ability to get about.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2024 source ↗

Andrew Ridgeley

Getting older doesn’t scare me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 December 2024 source ↗

More from Shobna Gulati

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

A piece of scenery fell on my head during Richard II at the Globe theatre in 2019. I was very badly hurt.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗

Question What most recently made you cry? Identity & self

I cry every day. Sometimes out of frustration. I do grieve my mum, so I allow the grief to sit until it’s not there any more.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗

Question When were you happiest? Time & hindsight

In recent times, when I was looking after my mum. She would take me on journeys in her mind and I’d travel with her wherever she went. I felt happy that I had the opportunity to have that time despite her illness.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗