How Would You Apply Ethics in Everyday Life? Real-Life Tips and Insights

The Role of Ethics in Our Daily Decisions

Well, when you think about ethics, what comes to mind? Most people imagine big, grand moral dilemmas, like deciding whether to tell the truth in a life-or-death situation. But honestly, ethics isn’t just about those dramatic moments. It’s about how we act in the small moments, too—every day, all day.

I’ll be honest, I’ve often struggled with how to apply ethics in my daily life. It's not always clear-cut. Sometimes, I do the right thing, and other times, I question myself. But over time, I’ve learned that ethics is not just some theoretical thing we study; it's something we live. So, let’s dive into how you can apply ethics every single day, even when it feels tricky.

Why Does Ethics Matter in Everyday Life?

It’s easy to think of ethics as something reserved for philosophers or professors, but the truth is that every decision we make has an ethical dimension. Whether you're choosing to be honest with a friend, paying for your coffee, or handling a conflict at work, ethics plays a role.

I remember a conversation I had with my friend Jake. He was frustrated with his job and asked me, “How do I deal with all the unethical stuff going on here? Everyone’s cutting corners.” Honestly, I was stuck. I didn’t have a perfect answer, but I realized then that we apply ethics in work, relationships, and even when no one is watching. Ethics is what guides us through these choices.

The Practical Application of Ethics: Making Better Choices

1. Honesty Over Convenience

Well, we all know that honesty can sometimes be uncomfortable. Take, for example, the last time you made a small mistake at work—say you missed an email or messed up a report. It’s so tempting to cover it up or pretend it didn’t happen, right? But honesty, even when it feels awkward, is an essential ethical principle.

Personally, I’ve been in situations where being honest was hard. I remember one time, I sent an email with a major mistake to a client. I could’ve ignored it, but I owned up to it immediately, apologized, and fixed the error. It wasn’t fun, but I realized that doing the right thing built trust. Honestly, it felt good to handle it that way.

2. Fairness in Daily Interactions

Ethics isn’t just about big moral decisions; it’s also about how we treat others. Fairness is a key ethical value, and it shows up in the smallest ways. For example, when you're deciding whether to speak over someone in a meeting or whether to share credit for an idea, fairness is at play.

I recall a time when I was in a team meeting, and an idea I had was taken by someone else without acknowledgment. At first, I was angry, but then I realized: fairness isn’t about getting recognition; it’s about ensuring everyone has an equal chance to contribute. It’s an ongoing challenge, but striving for fairness, even in small ways, can make a huge difference in your relationships and reputation.

3. Respect for Others: Listening and Understanding

Honestly, this is one of the hardest ethical principles for me to consistently apply—respecting others’ viewpoints, especially when I disagree. The temptation to dismiss someone else’s opinion or to be defensive when criticized is real. But ethics calls us to listen and understand, even if it’s uncomfortable.

I had this experience with a colleague last year who had a very different approach to a project I was working on. I found myself frustrated, but I realized that if I truly respected him, I needed to hear him out. When I did, we found a middle ground, and the project went much more smoothly. Respecting others in this way may seem small, but it can completely change how you interact with people.

Overcoming Ethical Challenges: Staying True to Your Values

1. The Pressure to Conform: Peer Influence

Let’s be real—peer pressure doesn’t go away when you graduate high school. In adulthood, it’s still very much present. Whether it's at work, among friends, or on social media, there’s often pressure to conform to what everyone else is doing. And sometimes, what everyone else is doing isn’t necessarily ethical.

I’ve faced this at work, where I was urged to take shortcuts to meet a deadline. Honestly, I almost caved in. But I thought about it and realized: if I do this, I’m compromising my integrity. In the end, I stuck to my ethical standards, even though it meant working longer hours. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it because I felt proud of the way I handled the situation.

2. Ethical Relativism vs. Absolute Ethics: A Personal Struggle

This is a big one. Ethical relativism suggests that what’s “right” can vary based on cultural or personal perspectives. Absolute ethics, on the other hand, argue that certain things are always right or wrong, regardless of context. Personally, I’ve always struggled with this tension. Sometimes, I feel like I should just “do what works for me,” but deep down, I know that’s not a good enough reason to act unethically.

A friend of mine, Leah, once shared a story about a time when she was traveling abroad and faced a situation where a local practice conflicted with her values. It made me realize how challenging it can be to apply ethics in situations that don’t have clear-cut answers. I guess it’s all about finding that balance and staying true to what you believe is right, even if it’s difficult.

How to Make Ethical Choices Every Day: Practical Tips

1. Pause and Reflect Before Acting

When in doubt, take a moment to pause and reflect before making a decision. Ask yourself, “Is this the right thing to do?” or “How would I feel if this was done to me?” I find that giving myself just a minute to think through my actions helps me align them with my values.

2. Build a Supportive Ethical Community

It’s so much easier to stay true to your ethical beliefs when you’re surrounded by people who value the same things. Find friends, mentors, or colleagues who challenge you to act with integrity and hold you accountable.

3. Be Willing to Apologize and Learn

We all mess up sometimes. Honestly, I’ve made some ethical mistakes in my life. The key is not to beat yourself up about it but to own it, apologize, and learn from it. If you’re ever in doubt, remember that ethical growth is a lifelong journey.

Conclusion: Ethics is a Daily Commitment

At the end of the day, applying ethics in your everyday life doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about making conscious decisions, even in the smallest moments, that align with your values. We all face challenges and doubts, but by being mindful and committed to doing the right thing, we can make better choices that not only benefit us but those around us.

So, how would you apply ethics in your life? The answer is simple—by staying true to what you know is right, even when it’s hard. Ethics isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of living every day.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.