Monica Dolan: How would you describe what love feels like to you? — FLAPSS

The question

How would you describe what love feels like to you?

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.

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Monica Dolan

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Knowledge seeping into adventure, with a thin layer of giddiness, hysterical laughter and loss of control.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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An umbilical cord.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 April 2025 source ↗

Daphne Guinness British socialite

Great. It feels wonderful – like a firework going off in your stomach.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 July 2024 source ↗

Craig Charles English actor

Love makes me feel sick. I get sick with worry about my kids. It keeps me up at night.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 July 2024 source ↗

Suzi Quatro American-British rock musician

Like coming home in every sense.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 November 2016 source ↗

More from Monica Dolan

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Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

To believe my eyes and not my ears.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I once walked up to Harriet Walter while she was having lunch on her own because I thought I knew her, and then when I got up to the table I realised I didn’t know her, I just recognised her because she was Harriet Walter.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Not marrying the person I wanted to marry, but now I think it’s probably good that I didn’t.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Another actress once said to me, “I’ve told you huge lies to make you feel good about yourself.” I’m not going to say who.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Being lost and no one wanting to find me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I try too hard not to get things wrong.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

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