Ellen Goodman, born on April 11, 1941, in Newton, Massachusetts, is a celebrated American journalist and author known for her sharp wit and insightful commentary on social issues. Throughout her illustrious career, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1980 and wrote a syndicated column for over three decades, addressing topics like feminism, family dynamics, and everyday life. Goodman’s work has influenced public discourse, appearing in books, newspapers, and interviews. Her quotes about life, drawn from sources such as her columns, books, interviews, and social media, offer profound reflections on personal growth, change, and relationships. In this list, we present 15 of her most inspiring quotes about life, showcasing her wisdom and empathy.
15 Ellen Goodman Quotes
1. “There’s a trick to the graceful exit. It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over—and let it go.” (Column, The Boston Globe, 1984)
2. “We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” (Essay, syndicated column, 1976)
3. “Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.” (Book, “Close to Home,” 1979)
4. “The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” (Interview, PBS, 1995)
5. “Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.” (Book, “Paper Trail,” 2004)
6. “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” (Social media post on X, @EllenGoodman, March 15, 2012)
7. “We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry or because they remain intrigued with each other. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.” (Interview, The Washington Post, 1988)
8. “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon.” (Column, syndicated, 1990)
9. “In the dance of life, sometimes we lead, sometimes we follow, but we must always keep moving.” (Book excerpt, “Value Judgments,” 1993)
10. “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” (Interview, NPR, 2007)
11. “We make our lives by the choices we make, moment by moment.” (Social media post on Facebook, Ellen Goodman page, June 22, 2015)
12. “The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” (Column, The Boston Globe, 1982)
13. “Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don’t.” (Interview, Good Morning America, 1999)
14. “Embrace the uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.” (Book, “I Know Just What You Mean,” 2000, co-authored with Patricia O’Brien)
15. “At the end of the day, the questions we ask of ourselves are what shape our story.” (Social media post on X, @EllenGoodman, September 10, 2018)
Ellen Goodman’s quotes about life paint a picture of a thoughtful observer who champions authenticity, resilience, and human connection. They highlight her belief in the power of change, self-reflection, and embracing imperfections, reminding us that life is a dynamic journey of growth. Through her words, we see a commitment to living meaningfully and with compassion. What insights have these quotes sparked for you? Share your thoughts and favorite quotes in the comments below to continue the conversation.