Daily life

What keeps you awake at night?

196 answers answered between 2008 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

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.

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On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Rob Delaney American comedian and actor
Nothing. I fell asleep while I was getting a shave. When I woke up, the barber said, “No one has ever fallen asleep with a razor at their throat.” And I was like, “Bro, I have three boys under five – I sleep when I can.”
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 November 2015 source ↗
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 ↗
Nish Kumar British stand-up comedian and presenter
Anything from the concept of human mortality to a faux pas I made at a party in 2005.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 February 2019 source ↗
Michael Kiwanuka English singer-songwriter
If I think my family’s not safe. And if I have a good idea musically: sometimes I can’t sleep out of excitement.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 November 2019 source ↗
Fatima Bhutto Pakistani writer
That to-do list I am supposed to get through but can’t summon the energy for in these weird, distracted times.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 February 2021 source ↗
Emma Barnett British broadcaster and journalist
Our son. And ideas for Woman’s Hour, or businesses to start.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 February 2021 source ↗
Riz Ahmed British actor and rapper
The thought that I could be doing more: being more productive, doing more of the things that matter, and less of the things that don’t.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 April 2021 source ↗
Gareth Bale Welsh footballer
I sleep very well. Nothing keeps you awake when you know within yourself how much you care, how much you give, and that you always try your best. And that’s true for me, whether it’s on the pitch, on the international stage leading the line for my country, or at home.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 August 2021 source ↗

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