Translation of "것이었어요" in English

삶의 기대치를 낮추라는 말을 듣는 것이었어요.

and to change my expectations of what to expect from life.

그건 제가 두려워 하는지도 몰랐던 것이었어요.

which was something I didn't even realize I feared

바로 제가 모든것을 선택 할 수 있다는 것이었어요.

is that I'm now in charge.