Whenever I write the word "just" in this context, I go back to see if the sentence can work (and be more-positive) without it. Most of the time, it can.

Somehow, it is helpful to write the "just" in order to get the sentence out, but it appears to be a temporary crutch to get the idea on paper. It is in the same category as, "it should be noted that" for me -- temporary scaffolding to get an idea on paper that can be later removed.