How do you know when you've fallen deeply and hopelessly in love with a TV show? Game of Thrones is no regular show, considering the brutal violence, consistent sexual tension, and plot lines that interweave so frequently J.R.R. Tolkien would've had a problem following. (Disclaimer: This post is for those obsessed with the show, not necessarily the books, as that would be an entirely different story and I am not yet on that level!)
Let's walk through the stages of delirious and life-consuming obsession together:
1. Every day is a Countdown to Sunday
As everyone enjoys their weekdays, you pretty much wake up every morning and quickly check if it is Sunday yet. When realizing it's still only Tuesday, you figure you should re-watch the last episode you saw since you probably didn't get everything packed in there. You're not alone! If needed, maybe go to this website:
2. You Schedule Your Life Around GoT
Planning on going to your aunt's house for dinner? Better be back by 9pm. If you can't leave in time, hide from your fam and watch it anyway, making them wait until 10 to leave. Want to go on a trip for the weekend? No traveling during the sacred 9-10pm slot. The world around you thinks it's an annoying obsession, but you keep on keeping on. Time is of the essence, so use this crazy beautiful pocket watch to stay on task:
3. You Seriously Enforce a Silence Policy
Unless it's quickly and quietly spoken during a scenic moment with no dialogue or action, you are the first to shut it down. Sometimes you resort to ghastly practices, like shouting at them as if they've personally offended you. You need to hear EVERY WORD because it could reference ever so slightly any and all important parts of the storyline. What you really need is for everyone to take a vow of silence while the show, preview, and "inside the episode" are on the screen.
4. Silence Policies Extend to Spoilers, DUH.
You have to stay strong in the face of adversity. Don't give in to the temptation of figuring out the entire story or asking your friends who've read the books. If, by some freak accident, you were unable to watch the show Sunday night, you avoid Facebook like the plague.
5. Questions
There is always someone in your family (in my case, mom) who isn't entirely caught up or hasn't paid too much attention (translation: hasn't carefully listened to each word). They sit down to watch it with you and, since they know what a pro you are, they expect you to answer ALL OF THEIR QUESTIONS every 5 minutes or so. You pause the show, rewind it, you have to do everything in your power to stay sane. You've got to reply, "You know nothing, watch the show." Just think, Siri can answer questions for them too:
6. You Cry 3-10 Times a Season
Or episode. When Ned kills Lady? When Ned himself dies? Or maybe when Myrcella Lannister was finally reunited with her father/uncle and then died by poison? When Jon Snow was killed? If you're faint at heart (like me), this show is never easy to watch.
7. The Red Wedding Killed You Too
There has to be a separate section to discuss one of the most atrocious scenes. If you didn't read the books, it probably came as one of the most shocking and terrible of surprises. You might have stood in front of your television screaming and crying. (My father actually said to me afterwards that he didn't think I should keep watching the show because I was too invested and it was deeply affecting me haha.) 
8. It's Like a Religion
You will go to great lengths to convert yet another person, close or extended friends. You will always speak highly of the show, despite the numerous heartbreaks it has caused (see above). You're so committed to the cause that you've watched the seasons over and over again to get others into the show and (of course) to pass the time when it's not currently on air.
9. Game of Friends Too
You marathon the show with your best friend, even if it's through FaceTime. You always have to debrief the (usually) crazy sh*t that went down. Maybe you've made new friends through bonding over the show.
10. You Can't Wait to See What Happens Next
Watching YouTube videos or reading articles about all of the fan theories? Maybe we'll finally get to see if R+L=J this season (fingers crossed)! Through the heartbreaks and laughs, you're still on the edge of your seat.
