Helen Skelton: What lesson has mattered most in your life? — FLAPSS

The question

What lesson has mattered most in your life?

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.

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HS

Helen Skelton

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

That you get out of life what you put in. When you grow up on a farm you literally reap what you sow.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Maggie O'Farrell Irish-British novelist

To keep going and never give up, and to enjoy it to the absolute full because, at any moment, the curtain can fall.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 March 2023 source ↗

Chris Bonington

Whenever things seem absolutely terrible, to see that you’re alive and that’s all that matters.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

To keep trying to listen to yourself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2026 source ↗

That life is tough and unfair; that life is beautiful.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 September 2023 source ↗

More from Helen Skelton

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Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Losing my eyesight – I live for the view, and the sunset and the sunrise.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Chaotic, warm, northern.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As someone who made you think that anything’s possible. I did three marathons in a day once but walking the high-wire at Battersea Park station was the challenge I loved most because I had to master a skill.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Jealousy. It’s the thief of joy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

Good memories. When I’m gone, I want them to feel that they were always my No 1 priority.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question When did you last change your mind about something important? Change of mind

There’s a house near me that I adore and it came up for sale, and I got to the point of nearly buying it and then pulled out because I’m trying to be sensible.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

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