We have all been here; it is 2:45 am your eyes are glued to the TV and you are faced with a very difficult decision—do you click that next episode or finally go to bed? Yes that’s right, go ahead and click on the next episode, you know where you are…you’re in the midst of a Netflix binge.
Those who have been through this experience are aware that a binge does not just happen...there are some stages that one undergoes in order to conduct a true Netflix binge.
1. It begins by simply sitting down one random free day and starting to scroll through hundreds of your viewing options.
2. Next you finally settle on a show that has either been, highly recommended by a friend, you have heard about on the internet, or just one that seems relatively normal amongst the hoards of documentaries and indie films.
3. You have successfully made it through the pilot episode with only a few moments of boredom so you think to yourself "what the heck, might as well watch one more...can't hurt".
4. Now it is 3:55am you have work in the morning and you have completed the full first season.
5. At work you are having trouble concentrating because in reality all you can think about is getting home and finding out what happens after that dramatic season finale.
6. At this point you have started to think that you actually are your favorite character on the show—you have begun to talk, think and act like them.
7. Stage 6 is now getting you in a good deal of trouble with your family and friends (especially if your chosen character is Walter White from Breaking Bad).
8. You have begun making up excuses to cancel plans with friends, instead only to have a night filled with a full marathon of the 5th season.
9. It has now come to the point where you have stopped responding to text messages entirely.
10. You are beginning to take it personally when Netflix asks if you are still there—of course you are, and please don't ask again.
11. Health and fitness has become last priority and frankly just gets in the way of quality TV time.
12. You have made it to the final season and as you click on the play button to begin, your heart starts to sting just a little.
13. As the credits roll for the series finale, you are an emotional mess of nostalgia, confusion and heart break.
14. Sitting on that same couch where you began this journey, you can't help but question what to even do with your life now.
15. One day you will slowly emerge from that dark hole of countless hours of Netflix and return to normal life, but not without being changed just a little by that wonderful show that you spent your last week and a half with.
