Telling yourself to “just stop” doing something rarely works.

You know what I mean—Stop eating so fast. Stop worrying about money. Stop rushing.

You can know these things in your head and still find yourself stuck in the same old patterns.

I’ve been there. And I’ve tried all the “just stop” advice. But here’s the thing:

these behaviors don’t come out of nowhere.

They’re often rooted in deeper beliefs, nervous system patterns, and even the environments we grew up in.

If telling yourself to stop hasn’t worked, you’re not alone.

The good news? There’s a different way.

What’s Been Working for Me…

Eating Too Fast

For years, I told myself to slow down with my food. But nothing changed

until I got curious about why I was eating so fast.

I realized my body didn’t feel safe enough to slow down—it was wired for speed.

So instead of just saying, slow down, I started offering my body new suggestions:

Take a deep breath.
Breathe into your belly.
Savor the pleasure of the food.
Sit with the discomfort of eating more slowly.

It’s not perfect, but over time, these small shifts have started to stick.

Worrying About Money

This one has been a big one for me.

I’ve studied abundance and manifesting,

and I know that worry doesn’t help.

But the habit of worrying was strong—almost like an addiction.

What changed? I stopped fighting the worry and started welcoming it.

Now I say, Hello, worry. I see you.

Then I notice what it feels like in my body and give it space without letting it take over.

And when I feel overwhelmed, I turn it over.

For me, surrendering to a higher power has been life-changing.

It reminds me that I don’t have to hold everything on my own.

Rushing

This one runs deep for me. I grew up in a “just keep going” environment

where resting wasn’t seen as an option.

Even when I’m sick, I hear the voice that says,

Get up, keep moving, you’ll feel better.

But I’ve started catching myself in the act. Instead of rushing, I pause.

I ask myself, What would it feel like to slow down right now?

And sometimes, I remind myself that healing takes time—both the physical and emotional kind.

What About You?

What patterns are you ready to shift?

If you’re ready to go deeper, I’d love to invite you to my BE-Friend Yourself Book Club. This is more than just a book club—it’s a space to explore these exact challenges and begin creating real, lasting change.

Together, we’ll:

Dive into the tools and practices in my book, BE-Friend Yourself.
Explore the “why” behind your patterns.
Learn how to meet yourself with more compassion and patience.

It’s all about finding a way forward that feels aligned with you.

Click Here to Join the Book Club

Change doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right tools and a little support, it’s absolutely possible.

I’d love for you to join us!

Warmly, Marla

P.S. Look below for more details.

BE-Friend Yourself Book Club, starting Wednesday, February 19th.

Here’s what you can expect:

Weekly Zoom discussions – connect with a like-minded group to reflect and share

Journaling prompts – dive deeper into the book’s themes each week

Replays available – so you never miss a session

A community focused on healing and self-love

The cost is $333, but if you register by February 1, you’ll get the early bird price of $275.

We’ll meet weekly for six weeks, diving into BE-Friend Yourself together, one chapter at a time, in a space filled with compassion and curiosity. CLICK HERE to Learn More

Let’s talk about something I’ve learned the hard way