Now that summer has finally arrived, you have an endless amount of time to hang out with friends, take vacations, work a summer job, or lock yourself inside with a television and a subscription to one (or many) streaming service. If you choose the latter of the listed activities, you’re sure to experience the eight stages of the binge-watch.

1. The decision

With the abundance of options today’s streaming services offer, it’s difficult to choose which show to binge first. I take this very seriously, carefully considering my decision before I commit to it.

2. Watching the first episode

It’s always a thrill to watch the pilot episode. You meet the characters, learn the plot and absorb the setting that you’ll be engrossed in for however long it takes you to binge watch a show. Also, there’s nothing more exciting than wondering how the story-line will lead the characters from the first episode, throughout the series and to the finale.

3. Sticking with it through the first season

A show’s first season has been known to make or break the viewer’s choice to continue watching. By that point though, you probably have a strong sense of commitment to see the show through the series finale.

4. Losing count of how many episodes you’ve watched in one sitting

5. Acknowledging that you’re addicted

At this point in the binge-watch, you realize this show consumes all of your thoughts and steals you from sleep. But you’re not stopping until the final credits roll.

6. Feeling disconnected from family, friends, and the outside world

When you’re in the middle of a binge-watch, it’s easy to forget to respond to a text from your parents or your friends. Of course, they shouldn’t take it personally, especially if you’ve been known to exhibit this perpetual binge-watch behavior on a prior occasion.

7. The fear of knowing you’re close to the end

It’s the battle between needing to know what happens versus never wanting to let go of the show for which you’ve fallen so fast and so hard.

8. Finishing the series

There are a whole slew of emotions that come with the fade out of a series finale. Sadness for being done, (hopefully) satisfaction with the way it ended and the greedy need to read every possible article on the show from every entertainment media outlet you can think of. Completing a binge is bittersweet, but you’re guaranteed to be forever grateful for the television journey on which you just completed, knowing it’ll always hold a special place in your heart.

Binge-watching television is a modern-day practice of instant gratification. It’s a great journey to embark on in the television world, and it’s an endless cycle: when you finish one show, it’s only just a matter of time until you’ll start another.