We grow up with the idea that doing the right thing will feel good—that standing up for what’s right will come with a sense of pride, peace, or even applause. But here’s the truth that rarely gets talked about: sometimes doing the right thing feels awful.
It can feel like a punch to the gut.
It can feel like isolation.
It can feel like doubt creeping in after you’ve already made the call.
Why? Because “the right thing” often means going against the grain. Speaking up when everyone else is quiet. Walking away when it would be easier to stay. Drawing a boundary that makes others uncomfortable. Choosing principle over popularity.
And when you do that, people won’t always cheer you on. In fact, they might roll their eyes, distance themselves, or worse—turn you into the problem. That doesn’t mean you were wrong. It just means you were brave.
So how do you deal with that awful feeling?
Here’s what we’re learning:
1. Expect the Discomfort
Doing the right thing often disrupts the status quo. If you’re feeling shaky, sad, or second-guessing yourself, that doesn’t mean you were wrong. It means you care. It means you’re human.
2. Check in With Your Core Values
Write them down. Revisit them. Remind yourself why this mattered. It’s easy to get lost in reactions—yours and other people’s. Ground yourself in what you know is true.
3. Talk to Someone Who Gets It
You don’t need a crowd behind you, just one or two people who can say, “I see you. That was hard. You did the right thing.” Find your people. Or be that person for someone else.
4. Give It Time
The immediate fallout might sting. But the long game—the person you’re becoming, the example you’re setting for your kids, the integrity you’re building—is worth every ache.
5. Let It Refine You, Not Define You
You’re not “that mom who said something.” You’re a person who acted from courage. Let the hard part build resilience, not bitterness.
At Chalk & Ink Press, we believe in raising kids with character and walking our own path with intention. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. But it does mean you’re not alone.
Keep showing up with heart.
Keep doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.
And if you’re feeling heavy today—let that be proof that you’re not numb to the world. That matters too.
You’ve got this. And we’re with you.
