11 Ellen Page Quotes to Bring Inspiration to Your Life

Peter Hapak

Update: In December 2020, Elliot Page came out as trans and announced that they use he/they pronouns. This content was written in October 2015, before Page publicly announced that they are trans.

Ellen Page is much wiser than her 28 years would suggest.

The Canadian-born actress has touched on everything from feminism and self-identity to sexuality and finding a purpose since joining the entertainment industry as a child.

With her moving performance opposite Julianne Moore in Freeheld hitting theaters this weekend, now is the perfect time to look back at Page’s nuggets of inspiration. So fear not, guidance-craving souls, Ellen is here with some serious motivation:

On childhood role models

“As a girl, you’re supposed to love Sleeping Beauty. I mean, who wants to love Sleeping Beauty when you can be Aladdin?” –to The Guardian in 2008

On the gift of love

“And I am young, yes. What I have learned is that love – the beauty of it, the joy of it, and yes, even the pain of it – is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being. And we deserve to experience to love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.” –in a speech at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Time to THRIVE conference in 2014

On putting your health first

“I find a lot of people say, ‘Oh organic and local is expensive and I just don’t have time.’ And I’m like, well how much TV do you watch? Where are your priorities right now? I always take the time to eat well and eat locally because it’s common sense. It just makes sense to my brain, and why wouldn’t I do it?” –to Mother Jones in 2010

On figuring out how to use your time for the greater good

“I’ve really gone back and forth and thought: ‘Okay, do you become a really intense activist, whether it’s civil disobedience or monkey wrenching or whatever? Or do you live in the infrastructure and navigate it as best as possible?’ I don’t know what the answer is. Right now I am trying to make movies because I love it, and I think telling stories is meaningful.” –to The Guardian in 2013

On the importance of friendships

“The relationships I’ve had with my girl friends are so powerful and meaningful. Without them I truly don’t know what I’d do.” –to The Telegraph in 2010

On wearing what feels right

“There are moments when you are, um, encouraged to dress a certain way. But I can’t. It just erodes my soul. That’s no criticism to girls who can wear a tiny dress and kill it – that’s awesome. People always attribute being a feminist to hating girls being sexual, and that’s not it at all. I’m just not into it.” –to The Guardian in 2013

and brushing off the haters

“Now, I try not to read gossip as a rule. But the other day, a website ran an article with a picture of me wearing sweatpants on the way to the gym. And the writer asked, ‘Why does this petite beauty insist on dressing like a massive man?’ Because I like to be comfortable.” –in her 2014 Human Rights Campaign Foundation speech

On everyone’s responsibility to help the planet

“Scientists and religious leaders, activists and first nation leaders, CEOs of corporations and actors, all of us need to come together right now, because the planet is in a lot of pain.” –to Mother Jones in 2010

On finding yourself

“When we’re growing up there are all sorts of people telling us what to do when really what we need is space to work out who to be.” –to The Guardian in 2010.

Ellen Page s Newest Movie Gave Her The Courage To Be Herself

On treating each other – and ourselves – the right way

“If we took just five minutes to recognize each other s beauty instead of attacking each other for our differences – that’s not hard, it s really an easier and better way to live. And ultimately, it saves lives. Then again, it can be the hardest thing – because loving other people starts with loving ourselves and accepting ourselves.” –in her 2014 Human Rights Campaign Foundation speech

On the importance of being open about your sexuality

“I’m embarrassed to say how closeted I was. I get sad thinking about it, honestly, because it was painful. And painful for people I was in relationships with. Just all-around destructive. Intolerance and closetedness is just a ripple effect of s—.” –to Buzzfeed News in 2015