If you are like me then you enjoy living vicariously through Sims: a popular computer game. My obsession with this game started in middle school, when I was first introduced to these simulated and hysterical characters with Sims 2. I spent many hours creating families, shaping their lives and building their homes. This obsession grew with Sims 3, which I still play to this day. I can spend hours upon hours with this game and never get bored. I know I am not alone with this obsession and that many others will find themselves in the statements below. Here are 11 signs that you are obsessed with Sims.

1. You Recognize Phrases in “Simlish”.

In the game, the "Sims" talk in a gibberish which is called "Simlish." If you listen closely to their conversations and exclamations, you realize they often repeat certain phrases. If you are really dedicated, you can incorporate them into your everyday vocabulary.

2. You start to talk and think about your Sim family as if they are real.

It is very easy to get attached to your Sims as it is easy to get attached to any fictional character. These Sims often do hilarious things such as set a birthday cake on fire, find gnomes in unusual places, or even glitch in hilarious and unnatural ways. All of these events usually gets retold in a Sims player's real life conversation.

3. You think about what your next Sim house or Sim family will be in your head when you are away from your computer.

Just like anything you enjoy, you often find yourself thinking about it at other times in life. Whether that be at work, at school, or in the shower, any Sim player can admit they are thinking about what wallpaper they'll pick out for their next Sim's home.

4. You get emotional over the death of a Sim.

Just like in life, every Sim must die. This can be from fire, starvation, an asteroid, or forgetting to put a ladder in a pool. Regardless of how they go, many Sim players shed a tear when a beloved character of theirs bites the dust.

5. You spend hours creating, raising and playing as a Sim.

It is easy to spend a whole day behind a computer scene with this game, none of which Sim players regret. It takes a long time to make the perfect house and family!

6. You spend real money on game expansions and new content.

Okay, this one can get out of hand, though being able to have weather in your Sims world is so worth it.

7. You become friends with others who play Sims.

Self-explanatory -- if you are obsessed with the same thing I am, we are instantly friends.

8. You tell those friends who play Sims stories about your Sims.

It almost becomes a conversation starter with these friends, "So my Sim did... today."

9. You sort of wish you were a Sim.

Come on, who doesn't wish even in the slightest they could be a sim? You can use cheats to get money, you can live in the coolest houses, you can be happy all the time? Of course, you wouldn't have free will.

10. You really, really wish there were game cheats in real life.

Could you imagine if you could CTRL, shift, C and Motherlode your way out of debt? If only.

11. You love your Sims as if they are real and have no shame in that.

No matter what others may think, Sims is a fun game and way to be creative. It will always have a place in my heart as one of my favorite ways to relax and I am sure others will agree.