The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?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.
When I was about eight, by a river waiting for my dad to finish fishing, eating a Mars bar, drinking a can of Coke and listening to Beat It by Michael Jackson on my Walkman. I remember feeling I couldn’t be happier.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 April 2022 source ↗
Last year. I was with my wife and all my kids in northern California, driving an RV. I remember thinking that life couldn’t possibly get any better.
When my UK citizenship was approved. It’s taken me eight years and lots and lots of money. I was at home in South Africa when I received the news and my mum said, “I am so happy for you because this is your glitterball.”
Swimming down the Thames on a full moon night 10 years ago. It was dangerous, but extremely joyful.
I don’t have a happiest; I live in the now.
Control freakery in the kitchen.
Not feeling like you have to be anywhere else.
When I left drama school, I thought I was going to work at the Royal Court and tell stories about political injustice. I got cast in ITV murder mysteries.
I’ve got vertigo, so anything to do with heights.
Joely Richardson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Keeley Hawes, Joss Stone, Ice-T, Vicky McClure
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