Life is not worth living if there is no one you would die for.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 October 2023 source ↗
time
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Verbatim recurring item in The Guardian Q&A; two fully readable publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
One of 24 questions in The Q&A here.
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Read by field
Everyone
Science and medicine 1
Arts and letters 59
Politics and public life 3
Business and finance 1
Sport 1
Read by age
Any age
In their thirties 13
In their forties 9
In their fifties 22
In their sixties 8
Seventy and beyond 12
To know thyself, as Shakespeare said.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2023 source ↗
To believe my eyes and not my ears.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗
Healthy body and a healthy mind – very simple.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2024 source ↗
Do not take life too seriously, this is all a sham.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 January 2024 source ↗
To tell the truth.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 February 2024 source ↗
We are not here for long – try not to take everything too seriously.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 March 2024 source ↗
To have the courage to fail.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 April 2024 source ↗
To be here in this one moment.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 January 2025 source ↗
If it scares you, do it.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 April 2025 source ↗
Redemption. People can be redeemed, goals can be redeemed.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 April 2025 source ↗
Worry about the things you can control and don’t worry about the things you can’t.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 July 2025 source ↗
Always sleep on any decision.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 August 2025 source ↗
That there is time. I doggedly prioritise and pursue tasks, and the day seems to open out and everything does get done. Chill.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 August 2025 source ↗
If somebody doesn’t want to understand or see you that’s on them. You don’t have to carry that with you.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗
You are good enough.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗
It’s all a gift. So be grateful for every day.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗
If you commit to it, you won’t ever stop learning.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 February 2026 source ↗
Never ever think that things are going to turn out all right.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗
Be true to yourself.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2026 source ↗
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