1. Sadness about your old show ending
There's never a right time to say goodbye. Some people don't understand, and may never understand, the feeling of confusion when you've devoted so much time and effort into something to watch it all slip away. Suddenly, you feel lost, with no sense of direction. Yet, you both have to go your separate ways. In the grand scheme of things, it's for the best.
2. Bug all of your friends for a new show
The recommendation station is in full swing. To try to get over your ex, you begin asking everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, for new show suggestions. You post on Facebook, snapchat your entire contact list, reach out to your distant cousins, and finally decide to catch up with your great-aunt once removed. The list piles up, your friends stop answering your texts, yet you finally narrow down on a new single show. The pain, sweat, and tears were worth it. You think she may be the one.
3. Procrastinate EVERYTHING
You are now fully committed to your new show, and you sure don't take commitment lightly. Some say it's one of your better qualities. As devoted as you are to your daily responsibilities, you understand relationships require sacrifice, and you are willing to make this work. Thus, you procrastinate a decent amount of your life for your new show - all in the name of love.
4. Find a fan group
There's no point to choosing a new show that nobody watches. At pivotal and exciting moments, you NEED someone who knows what it's like to be in your position. It's never healthy to keep all of your emotions held inside. Thus, you need a support system. A support system to lift you up when you are down, to comfort you in times of confusion, and to ensure that better episodes are ahead. The outsiders will just never understand. Your mental health is at risk, and you need this special group to help you through each and every climactic season.
5. Officially attached
That's it. You're tapping out of reality for the next 6 seasons. This show has consumed your life: you're basically convinced you're dating the main character and the characters you don't like have shown up in numerous nightmares. The actors have become your idols and if you hear someone talking about your show within a 15-mile radius you are right there in a heartbeat to offer your opinion. So what if you just got an internship at the White House? Your ship has sailed.
6. Eat, Sleep, Netflix, Repeat
It's come to that time in your relationship where all you want to do is cuddle…with your computer. Your friends are worried about your health because you're as pale as a ghost and never see the light of day. You get out of bed to eat because stress eating from the recent break up of your favorite characters is all that's getting you through the day. The occasional outing to go to the gym or make an appearance at the library is the only break you take from your double life, yet you just keep reminding yourself this is totally normal. Those 15 seconds between episodes is the only real time you need for yourself anyway.
7. It's not you, it's me
And then comes the sad moment when you need to face reality because its that time of year again…exams. It really was a tough decision to take this break but deep down you know you need to do really well on your exams so everyone will stop nagging you, including your parents, so you can get back to Netflix reality. Opening your computer screen to your notes is so difficult because your muscle memory leads you directly to the Internet typing in “n" and pressing enter. But you know better; you'll be reunited so soon.
8. Reunited and it feels so good
Exams are over, you have made your public appearances, and now it's time to crawl back into the cave. You honestly can't believe you took a break for this long, but that break reminded you how good it feels to be reunited with your favorite characters and favorite fictional town (shout out Tree Hill and Stars Hollow.) This break has led you to binge watch so many episodes that you have finish a whole season in just a matter of two days. Don't feel bad though – you've earned this bonding time.
9. The dreadful goodbye
As the last 15-second warning pops up on your screen and you realize this is the end, your heart sinks deep into your chest. As you prepare yourself for the emotional roller coaster that is the series finale, you reminisce on the good times and bad times you have experienced in your fantasy life. It has been fun, overwhelming, emotionally and physically draining, and overall so heartwarming to have experienced such drama, friendship, and received such valuable life lessons. It is almost impossible to imagine what you will do with all of this free time not taken up by countless 40-minute episodes. But for now, you watch the last 40 minutes and enjoy your final hurrah.
10. Depression begins: it's officially over
You never thought this day would come but it's here: 7 seasons, 2 months, and you feel like you've lost your second family. All you can seem to do is talk about the characters and how in love you are with the hunky football player (shout out Tim Riggins) or hot CIA agent. The gaping hole in your heart resides, until your friend mentions the amazing new show she has started and just can't seem to stop watching. Yes, it may feel like you are about to cheat on your previous show but it is important to move on. After all, it's already been almost 48 hours.
