Tom Burke: What thought won't let you sleep?

The question

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A long-running fixed question in The Guardian's weekly Q&A questionnaire.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

It’s usually a slight feeling that, having got through the day, I didn’t get any time to do any writing or something creative – it was a lot of admin, exhaustion from that and rumination.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 May 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Nadiya Hussain British television chef, baker and author

Trying to think of a recipe I’ve forgotten. I keep a notebook by my bed now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 September 2016 source ↗

Bobbi Brown

My very long to-do list.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 October 2025 source ↗

Kathy Lette Australian-British author

Worrying about the faux pas I made earlier that evening. I tend to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2024 source ↗

Cybill Shepherd American actress and former model

Worrying about my children.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2008 source ↗

More from Tom Burke

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Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

A running accident when I was 14 or 15. I fainted but I was a bit of a jester and they thought I was taking the piss, so I was left for a bit. I woke up in hospital.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 May 2026 source ↗

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

I’ve not always been great friend material. I’ve tried to get better at that, so to be remembered as reliable by a few would be great.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 May 2026 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

You reach a certain point in life and suddenly know a lot of dead people, and I’ve noticed you don’t stop getting to know people who are dead. Those relationships continue and I like that.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 May 2026 source ↗