As part of the "Netflix and Chill" generation, I like to pride myself in the fact that I actually am a professional at the literal Netflix and Chill. By that, I mean watching an entire series on Netflix alone with endless amounts of snacks and pillows. Personally, I've watched way too many shows for my own good but we all have our guilty pleasures and binge-watching happens to be mine.
The stages of binge-watching are often the same for watching a show no matter the type of show it is and here they are:
1. Picking What Show To Binge-Watch
The million topics on Netflix with suggestions of what shows to watch can be really overwhelming so picking your next addiction can be a little challenging at first. Do you want to watch a comedy? A drama? Something spooky? The possibilities are endless.
2. Starting The Show
When you finally find what show you want to watch, you probably have many expectations. It's like a first date. How will it go? Will you be bored and want to end things early or are you going to become obsessed with what is about to become the new love of your life?
3. Next Episode
Assuming you liked the first episode of your new show, you have a gut instinct to click the play button of the next episode in less than three seconds of finishing your last one. This goes on for the next episode. And the one after that. And another. It's almost becomes a game with how fast you can get through to the next episode.
4. Bragging About The Show
Chances are, if you become obsessed with something it's all you want to talk about. This leads to one pestering almost everyone they know to start the same show so everyone could be obsessed together. Binge watching becomes a competition at this point. Who could finish the show first? How many episodes can you keep up with? Yay, friendship!
5. Finishing The Series
Oh no...that's it? It's over?! The "continue watching" button is gone and you are left with an empty pit of despair growing in your soul. How did you finish an entire series so quickly? What else is there to do now, read a book? This may feel like the end, only because it is.
6. Withdrawals
It's been a couple of days and now your daily routine that usually consisted with at least an episode now feels strange and empty. You probably miss the characters from your show and wonder how they're doing. It's the end of a relationship and you might not be handling the breakup lightly.
7. Starting Another Show
On the bright side, there are plenty of fish in the sea. By that I mean there are thousands of other shows to watch and fall in love with. After accepting the end of your last show, it's time to move on to another one. And so it begins again...
