a shot of clarity
When you get a clear view of how bad you had it, and it hits you like a punch in the gut.
"I thought I was getting out. Turns out I was just getting out of one mess into another."
"She said she was coming back. I said I'd wait. Now I'm stuck with her and her drama."
"I saw my old life and realized I was still an idiot for thinking I had it all figured out."