Feeding my addiction: How I became obsessed with Game of Thrones

IT’S not that I meant to lie, it was simply necessary to feed my addiction. Suddenly, my life revolves around when I can watch the next Game of Thrones ep.

“I’M so sorry, but I’ve been called into a last-minute meeting. Nothing I can do. Let’s reschedule.”

That was the first of many white lies over the last three weeks.

It’s not that I meant to lie, it was simply a necessary act to feed my ... addiction.

It came as quickly as it was unexpected, my life suddenly revolved around when I could stare at a screen and watch another episode.

It happened by chance, late one Friday night, I switched on the first episode of Game of Thrones.

From there, I never looked back.

I used to turn my nose at the masses who swore by this show; the little I knew of it was all bloodshed and beheadings. Not something one would usually choose to watch for entertainment.

But as the first images of this strange, medieval world appeared before me, it all began to make sense.

My first love affair with this show: Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) and Daenerys Targaryuen aka Khaleesi (Emilia Clarke). I should have known it would end in heartbreak.

I watched three episodes that first night. I was caught. Hook, line and sinker.

Three hours later, I bobbed my head above ground, a blur of Starks and Seven Kingdoms swirling before my eyes. My mind spinning from sheer concentration, mapping out this epic masterpiece before me.

If only I knew what was coming. And no, it wasn’t the winter, it was how my life would revolve around Game of Thrones.

For those who have escaped the perilous pits of a prime time TV addiction, there’s nothing quite as deliberately life-altering as this.

For the last few weeks, I’ve sat through five series of Game of Thrones, feeding my burning desire. That’s 49, one-hour episodes. I’ve spent more than two days of my life dedicated to the Jon Snow’s of this fantasy world.

I’ve cancelled dinners, parties and coffee catch-ups. I’ve spent an entire weekend glued to my laptop as the world passed before me. I’ve pretended I was busy when I wasn’t. I’ve lost sleep when I shouldn’t. I wasted time when I shouldn’t. And I loved every minute.

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

But now the panic has spread.

Sophie Turner, as Sansa Stark, left, and Aidan Gillen, as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. You just can’t trust this guy.

Like all addictions, what happens when the need outweighs the production?

As the credits rolled on the latest episode, I wondered, “what now?”. Where to from here?

This sudden departure has made me so desperate, I’m considering watching the entire series from the beginning. Again.

It’s like a bad relationship. This crash was certain to follow.

Would I recommend the show to non-fans? Absolutely.

But save yourself the trouble, take it slow. Soak it in.

Game of Thrones might be about dragons and drama, war and the weak, good versus evil, but there’s a lot to learn here.

About politics, faith, love and leadership. Of honour, anger and the social divide. Of sacrifice.

Perhaps I’ve sacrificed enough of my time.

So, as I re-enter the world with bleary eyes and small steps, I step out with the knowledge that Jon Snow is yet to face his biggest battle, Tyrion Lannister lives to fight another day and there might still be hope for Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons.

For now.

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