1. Discovery
All of us have a friend who has immersed themselves in the world of a fandom. I happen to be the friend who is part of almost every fandom and I must be really annoying. That friend probably talks about the wonders of their fictional world with a passion most people don’t understand. But you decide you will listen to your friend and look up whatever TV show or book they have blabbing about to make them shut up.
You start reading or watching. And during the first chapter or episode, something peaks your interest. And you continue indulging in this wonderful experience. You are now part of this fandom.
2. Obsession
After you start with the series, you simply cannot get enough. You are micro analyzing every character until you feel like you have become them. You are suddenly blurting quotes in class. Your room is covered with paraphernalia and your family cannot look anywhere in your house without finding some sort of merchandise. You have officially settled into your fandom.
3. Blabber
Once you have been fully immersed in your chosen fandom, you simply cannot shut up. You are talking to everyone about your favourite series. You are quoting it without realizing it. You have inherited traits from your favourite characters. You talk about what you would do in the characters situations and you have developed an odd fear of statues*.
4. Outbreak
Once your friends have become thoroughly annoyed by you, one of them is bound to start on your favourite series as well. Soon enough, they are addicted as well. Now you two are geeking about, talking about things nobody understands and after a while, more and more people become addicted as well.
Now there are legions of you. Legions of fans. It’s quite frightening. But now you can have a group of people to discuss your fandom with. At this point, you aren’t even part of a fandom, the fandom is part of you.
5. Standstill
Eventually, you will catch up and be up to date with the books or shows. Now, you have to wait. You wait for a new book, a new episode, or a new season. Who knows how long you will have to wait, a week? A month? Six months? A year? Either way, waiting sucks.
Your world has stopped. And now you are just waiting for new material to make you world start spinning again.
6. Depression
You feel empty. You have seen every episode, read every book. Now what? You re-watch, you re-read, you laugh and cry all over again. Yet it isn’t the same. Depending on the fandom, you are either waiting a week, or a year for your world to start again. At this time, all you can do is reminisce about the characters you’ve lost and the fact that you can’t meet new ones. This part of the cycle is tough, but hopefully there is a silver lining (unless you watch Freaks and Geeks).
7. Discovery (again)
Alas! New material! Your world is filled with colours! All the emotions are coming back! Oh, the feels! You cannot help but dread the inevitable end of your book or show though. Because there is always an end. So your paraphernalia collection grows, and you add on more fandoms to keep busy, and next thing you know, you always have something exciting involving a fandom happening.
Once you join a fandom, there is no escape. None. A fangirl (or boy) must live in their fandoms until the end of their days (this is especially true for fans of Doctor Who). And never, ever, shall a fangirl/boy have a dull day in their lives ever again.
Also, tumblr is a great place for expressing your fandom feels
Never judge a book by its movie 😉
*Doctor Who reference; Weeping Angels