You can’t have your cake, and eat it too.

One of the sayings my mom loved to remind us of when we were growing up was, “You can’t have your cake, and eat it too.” It usually came up whenever my sister and I tried to pull one of our classic tricks–pretending to be sick so we could skip school. The plan was simple: tell Mom we weren’t feeling well, stay home, and spend the day watching TV or playing. In our minds, it was the perfect win-win. But, of course, mom had other ideas.

As soon as we settled back in bed, hoping for a cozy day of cartoons and snacks, mom would drop the line. “You want to stay home from school? Fine, but no TV, no playing. Rest.” We’d look at each other in disbelief, realizing that we’d been caught in the ultimate parental trap. There was no way to get the best of both worlds, if we were too “sick” for school, we were too sick for fun.

The proverb “You can’t have your cake, and eat it too” really just states an obvious truth–if you eat the cake, it’s gone, and you no longer have it. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that choices come with consequences. You can’t enjoy the benefits of one thing without giving up something else. Whether it’s a big decision or a small one, I still hear my mom’s voice whenever I’m tempted to try to have it all. And funny enough, it always makes me pause and think. 

Sometimes when I’m facing a tough choice, I hear Mom’s voice reminding me that I can’t have it both ways. Writing things out always helps me see more clearly. A decision making journal is a great tool for anyone who likes to weigh pros and cons and reflect before moving forward.