“Do the right thing.”
It sounds simple. But in real life, the “right thing” can be complex, messy, and deeply personal. What’s right in one moment might be wrong in another. What feels kind to someone else might be unkind to you.
Still, deep down, we usually know. And when we do choose what feels right, even if it’s hard—we walk away a little taller, a little clearer, and a little more whole.
My late papa used to say 'Always do the right thing, then you can hold your head high'. It's a phrase that stuck with me and since his passing it's become one of my most sacred mantras. He was a wise man, my dad. And this is very much sage advice. But it's hard advice to follow.
What Is the Right Thing?
The right thing isn’t always obvious, and it isn’t always big. Sometimes, it’s:
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Helping someone move house, even when your day is packed
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Turning up to listen to a friend in need when you’d rather collapse on the sofa
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Or cancelling that same plan when your body says, I need to rest
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Taking the longer, harder route—because it leads somewhere real
Doing the right thing means doing what aligns with your values, not your convenience. It might not always make you happy in the moment. But it will help you feel proud of who you are.
The Psychology of Moral Decision-Making
Psychologists call this inner compass moral identity—the degree to which being a “good person” is central to how you see yourself. According to research by Aquino and Reed (2002), people with a strong moral identity are more likely to act with kindness, fairness, and integrity—even when it’s inconvenient.
Neuroscience supports this too. fMRI studies show that making ethical decisions activates areas of the brain linked to reward processing and self-referential thought (Greene & Haidt, 2002). This means doing the right thing isn’t just noble—it’s neurologically satisfying. Our brains like when our actions match our internal values.
Why It Makes You Feel More Confident
When your actions align with your values, you build self-trust. You begin to see yourself as dependable, consistent, and true to your word—even when no one’s watching.
This creates what psychologists call self-concordance—the feeling that your behaviour reflects who you really are (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999). People who feel self-concordant experience more long-term wellbeing, resilience, and authentic happiness.
In other words: When you do the right thing, you strengthen your sense of self.
Growth Comes From Aligned Choices
Personal growth doesn’t only come from reaching goals—it comes from the way we move through life. The right thing isn’t always the easy thing. But it’s usually the path that leads to peace.
Even if no one else notices, you do.
And every time you make that choice—no matter how small—you shape the person you’re becoming.
So do the right thing, even if no one thanks you.
Even if it’s awkward or quiet or hard.
Because when your head meets the pillow,
you’ll know: you showed up as someone you’re proud to be.
That’s what it means to hold your head high.
Like the cover art? That's one of mine! It's one of my early designs that I created to celebrate my dad and share his words of wisdom with the world. It's special. Check out my 'Right Thing' collection now, available in prints and mugs.
This post is a collaborative effort between AI and myself in order to provide the most up to date information.
