I have become progressively happier as I’ve got older. It’s to do with not striving as much.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 June 2022 source ↗
The question
When were you happiest?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.
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Others on this question
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Jessica Hynes
British actress and writer
Last week, lying under a hat on Folkestone beach.
Julian Lloyd Webber
British cellist and conductor
When I was 16, I’d just won full scholarships to both the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, and felt like the world was my oyster.
Jenny Agutter
English actress
Last night, having dinner with my husband, John, my son, Jonathan, and his girlfriend, Maude.
Kim Wilde
English pop singer
These are the happiest days. I love the process of getting older and, sometimes, wiser.
More from Ardal O'Hanlon
View profile →My dog wanting to go out for a wee.
The day I had to stop playing football five years ago. I realised I couldn’t hack it any more.
I’d like a manoeuvre called after me, in the way Heimlich has.
People laughing at me, which is terrible for someone who makes a living out of making people laugh.
Lack of self-doubt.
Sharper knives.
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