Enthusiastic, enthusiastic, enthusiastic.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
What happens when we die?
Death & what remains
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Question
What would you like to leave your children?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this exact standing prompt.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Alchemy. Love. Resilience.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 111 →Steady, reaching, bewildered.
Can I have more than three? Creative, kind, a grafter, engaging, loyal, fun and generous.
Natural, caring, thoughtful.
More from Ben Okri
View profile →Evolve or perish.
Composer, pirate, scientist, philosopher.
On a train journey to Arcadia many years ago while making a TV documentary.
We don’t die. We change realms. Life is eternal. Living is not. Live while you are alive.
“You don’t stand a chance of succeeding as a writer in this country. The demographics are against you.” They were wrong. The only demographic that counts is the human heart.
The wisdom to become who they are in the truth of their spirit.
More on identity & self
Also answered this
Indira Varma, Sharleen Spiteri, Kelly Hoppen, Russell Mael, Ciarán Hinds, Mark Bonnar
Search the directory for somebody in particular.
Explore further
- All identity & self questions
- The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
- Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject