Ellen Page first came out publicly as gay on Valentine’s Day at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Time to Thrive conference.

“I’m here today because I am gay,” Page said, during her announcement. “And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time.”

Now, two months later, Page is explaining how good it feels to not be carrying around her “toxic” secret anymore.

During an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show Ellen , Page revealed that she has had a huge weight lifted off her shoulders, and thanked DeGeneres for her coming out back in 1997.

“I knew I would be a happier person,” she told DeGeneres. “I did not anticipate just how happy I would feel in every aspect of my life. Just an ease and a comfort. And it’s really been quite extraordinary to feel just the shift. It was pretty much overnight, too.”

Paige admitted that hiding her sexuality had taken a toll on her and made her feel isolated and alone. “It was a combination of just such thrill to finally be at that place in my life where I was able to do that, and grateful to have that moment – and grateful to you because you did it at a time where it was much harder and much scarier,” Page said.

Page said she never felt welcome in the LGBT community because she wasn’t open about her sexual orientation. However, now that she is out, she says that she feels like she is a part of their community. “It’s toxic,” Page said. “I was carrying a tremendous amount of shame and guilt for not being out, and I felt isolated from the LGBT community. And now I don’t.”

“It’s so nice to be at work and talk about an ex or, you know, get to wear what you want and not have a conversation about it,” she explained. “It’s so nice to have people come up to me and tell me their story or, you know, say, ‘Hey, I’m closeted. Can you give me advice?’ Those are really beautiful moments to get to share with people.” Page said she hopes that, by her coming out, she will help others who are struggling to be honest with themselves and their families.

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