Believing in, even admiring, people who refuse to believe in me, and not believing people who do.
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's The Q&A has retained this Proust-derived prompt from at least 2007 through 2026, and ABC independently put it to the Obamas in 2011.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I overthink everything.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 252 →
Rose Tremain
English writer
The only drink I really, really like is champagne.
Self-loathing that rises to the level of deploring.
Maya Jama
British television and radio presenter
I can be properly stubborn sometimes – but that’s me being a classic Leo.
More from Erin Doherty
View profile →My sister. She is the most loving, positive and generous person I know.
Sounds cliched, but I always wanted to be an actor.
Offer kindness always.
Regrets. That’s no way to live.
Oh when was the last time I didn’t?! I’m a crier. I cry. All the time.
Mornings. Playing music, fresh coffee, dippy eggs and soldiers, my girlfriend – what’s not to love?
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Judy Blume, Niamh Cusack, Robert De Niro, Eugene Levy, Paapa Essiedu, Johnny Flynn
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