expressions - Replacement for the annoying habit of saying "I was like"


I am new here, so my first question would be to ask about an annoying habit that I, as well as many other people out there, seem to have...


During the telling of a story I will often say this one phrase: "I was like" (and I was like, "Don't be dumb, it's not weird to say it at all!").


I would really like to throw something into my brain that would replace this. I hate using this term, it disgusts me...




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