“I Just Realized…” Means You Have a Story
Have you recently caught yourself saying, “I just realized…”
That moment—right there—is gold.
Those words usually signal a fresh insight, a shift in perspective, or a deeper understanding. In other words, they mark an ah-ha moment.
And where there’s an ah-ha moment, there’s usually a story worth telling.
Now, I don’t mean it has to be a big, dramatic, change-your-whole-life kind of story. Some of the best stories are small, personal, and grounded in everyday life. Something you noticed while walking the dog. A conversation that made you stop and think. A pattern you finally saw clearly. A feeling that surprised you.
These are the moments that make us human—and they make your message relatable.
As someone who helps people write nonfiction books (especially the kind that are filled with wisdom and heart), I spend a lot of time helping authors find and shape these stories. A great story doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It just has to show something meaningful—an idea, a shift, a truth—through real experience.A realization can spark a truly pivotal moment.
Often these can be described as a “transformational moments.” That’s what draws a reader in. That’s what makes your message stick.
And it’s not just for books.
You can use your stories in so many ways:
• In a speech or podcast interview
• On your About page
• In your next blog or newsletter
• As the best way to be remembered after a networking event
• As part of your origin story or why-you-do-this work message
You might be wondering, What kind of story could I even tell?
Start by listening for those words: “I just realized…”
For example:
“I just realized I’ve outgrown the goals I set last year.”
“I just realized I’m most confident when I stop trying to sound like everyone else.”
“I just realized I’m more creative when I stop trying to be perfect.”
“I just realized my best ideas come after a long walk.”
“I just realized I’m clearer when I talk it out than when I write it down.”
“I just realized my audience doesn’t need more information—they need encouragement.”
“I just realized the thing I thought was a weakness is actually my strength.”
“I just realized I’ve been saying yes out of habit, not intention.”
Each of these realizations could spark a story. And each story could connect with someone who needs to hear it.
Want to read my own “I just realized…” story (about catching a catfish!)? https://barbara-dee.com/catch-and-release-the-power-of-shedding-limiting-beliefs/
Try this: over the next few days, pay attention to when you have a new insight—big or small. Jot it down. Ask yourself: What happened right before this? What triggered the shift? What did I learn? That’s your raw material.
You don’t have to write a book to be a storyteller. But if you are writing a book (or thinking about it), this is one of the best ways to gather stories that bring your ideas to life.
And if you’re not sure which stories to use, that’s what I help my clients with—spotting the moments that matter and shaping them into stories that resonate.
So next time you say, “I just realized…”—pause. You may have just uncovered your next great story.
Want to read my own “I just realized…” story (about catching a catfish!)?
https://barbara-dee.com/catch-and-release-the-power-of-shedding-limiting-beliefs/
