Emily's Ultimate Game Of Thrones Finale Survival Guide

Game Of Thrones ended and if you're wondering what I thought about the ending (or what a lot of fans are thinking) check out my review. This guide will help fans relieve and release the tension we all felt and the get through this... difficult time of saying goodbye.

Oof. That was one heck of a punch. Sorry if that was too soon.

So, Game Of Thrones ended, and if you're like me in any way, then you probably had many mixed feelings about it. And many different reactions all at once. But no matter what, I'm sure all us fans felt a certain reluctance, or gloominess saying goodbye to this show we've all known for so many years of our lives. If you're a fan of tv series I know you know what I'm talking about (see Urban Dictionary for further reference). 

It's okay Michael. It's okay.

That gloom that falls over you when you finish a series, knowing the world was a bit brighter with those characters you'd bonded with, watched for several years. In Game Of Thrones's case I'm sure the feeling must exist because of how many characters the show introduced and how many characters developed over time. But that's why I'm here! Listen up, because the tv doctor is in and I'm here for your sniffling sorry despair because trust me when I say you're not alone in this.

Obviously I can't cure those feels of yours, you'll have to pull yourself out under that duvet cover on Sunday nights. But I'm here to offer you some solutions or ways to help you cope with our terrible loss in this life we've surrounded around this show with direwolves and man-eating dragons for a decade. I'm no psychiatrist or therapist but hopefully I, a wee blogger, can offer some aid to your post-series depression so your therapist doesn't have to hear you rant about the show's creators anymore (Your welcome Dave). Now, let's get into my Ultimate Survival Guide To Surviving Life Without Game of Thrones (solves all yo' problems baby)!

1. Denial- Accept the reality.

I know. It's hard to accept. You're in denial those first few seconds, and suddenly a decade of television history comes crashing down. But it's time to face the facts and those feels head on to get through this guide properly.

Game Of Thrones ended. It's a whammy. I know, it didn't deliver in the way we were hoping but that's a different matter entirely. To get through this, we need to accept these feelings head on. Don't worry though we're in this together! It's okay to listen to the intro on repeat these next few weeks! Let those feelings out!

2. Don't contain those feels. Express yourself in someway. Talk to a friend. Don't worry, it isn't totally stupid. Just do it on your own time at home though. Take care of that heart you invested into so many characters.

It's finally time for us GOT fans to release that breath we've been holding for a decade.

The world needs to go on, you need to work, you need to release this if you're trying to cope by keeping it inside. It's ok to go home and scream into your pillow for a few seconds about how that one character died or journal about how those writers really failed us. Do it on your own time so you won't feel like something is tugging on those heartstrings at work. You need to be focused, on your a-game. You're a boss. So on your own time it's okay to create a small shrine for that direwolf you'll no longer see. 

It's okay to do this to avoid having to mask your weakness outside your home. It's all so you can be on that a-game of yours and you don't have to hear your friend at work say...

Be it talking to a friend, joining a Game Of Thrones support chat, *cough* following bloggers and youtubers who publish guides about game of thrones *cough*, writing a fanfic. Wait, what? 

It's okay to be angry! Your feelings are valid (maybe not to the show writers but they are valid!).Nurse those battle wounds, you soldier you. It's all so you won't have to tense up on the street when you see a picture and hold back the Hoover Dam inside.

Don't need this step? Great! You're one step ahead of us all, you go-getter, you! Express that sadness so we can talk about what we can do next not just to help us cope but move on.

3. Follow the actors or actresses on social media.

Just an idea. I know I love Emilia Clarke's happy feed, no doubt she can lift your spirits when you look on it. 

4. Read the books.

I know I'm intrigued.

My faith in George R. R. Martin and his vision Daenerys and the delivery of the story remains.

5. Looking at Fanart.

Don't click away! There's some pretty good fanart and wallpapers out there. But don't worry! I'm aware this isn't the guide to becoming the ultimate Game Of Thrones superfan!

6. Had a group that got together every Sunday for that episode of Game Of Thrones? Try a new show or club to get you all together every Sunday again. I know how difficult it can be to say goodbye to the show but I can only imagine saying goodbye to those nights you'd go to for a good story with friends. Socialization is one of the things we all need in this day and age, so having an outlet like Sunday nights Game Of Thrones watch parties (am I the only one who sees the pun potential in that sentence?) is a lot of fun for us fans. 

Try starting a club, don't let these peeps get away from you. Organize a fan theories or book club with them. Try a book club for the Game Of Thrones books together or try starting a new TV show with them! Every adult needs that show for them to enjoy with friends.

This doesn't have to be the end for your group!

7. Organize a trip to the Game Of Thrones shooting locations.

I know Croatia is on my travel bucket list for sure. Of course many of the shooting locations were featured in other movies and shows, but we'll get into other show ideas later. If you want to go the long mile in your devotion to the story, or feel like you couldn't get enough of King Landing's beautiful brick streets try organizing a trip to some of the beautiful filming locations.

I have a friend who decided to take his senior trip to Iceland, and I know I was certainly enjoying his many pictures he shared. I felt like I was getting a slice of Game Of Thrones life every time I glimpsed at the pictures he shared on social media. (thanks man!) Not to mention I also wanted to Iceland for research in my novel, so I certainly appreciated the clips of Viking villages.

Go the long haul! Get a taste of unique culture and step onto one of the shooting locations! If you need any further convincing that Croatia is a great place to travel to, Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again was shot in Croatia, not Greece. :)

8. Try a new tv show if you haven't considered this already. I know. It can be hard. Especially after recovering from such a whammy. It may seem like the last thing you need to fill this emptiness in your life is another tv show to deliver punches to your gut when a character loses a limb. Or you're one of those people who wants to stretch out, discover new shows like Game Of Thrones. Or you'd like a new show to look forward to!

So here are some of my recommendations: the 100

Undoubtedly you've probably heard of the teen show at least once. I just started watching it recently and must say I was without a doubt impressed by how well-made the show actually was. It continues to deliver splendid character arcs and is incredibly skilled at blurring the lines. Based off of a book series like Game of Thrones, meant for teens but don't let that fool you. Critics have been shocked time and time again by how the 100 impresses and gives a real, well-crafted, impressive story. It averts expectations, and is certainly not meant just for teens. Give it a go! Not to mention it has plenty of inspiring Game Of Thrones characters that would no doubt make Daenerys herself proud.

House Of Cards. I still have to watch this one but I'm very aware that it follows politics, similar to Game Of Thrones. It's received critical acclaim, award nominations, and I know has a lot of stellar peformances.

Westworld. If you enjoy dabbling the sci-fi genre like dabbling in the fantasy tv show area, then Westworld may just be the show for you. If you feel like the 100 isn't the kind of sci-fi you're looking for, then try out the show created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, based on the 1973 film of the same name. HBO no doubt has other content worthy of a watch (something they were clearly trying to convince you of during the final season of Game Of Thrones). As Game Of Thrones was, Westworld is not your typical genre story. Game Of Thrones was fantasy but not your average one. Likewise with Westworld. Not only is it spectacularly philosophical about the sci-fi genre, but the writing is brilliant. About a theme park that isn't your... well. Let's just say it's no Disneyworld. If you liked Blade Runner (1982) and it's high sci-fi concepts, then without a doubt you'll enjoy the hosts of Westworld. Another show just for you adults that like to geek out. Go for it.

Outlander if you're into Scottish fantasy-romance. I gave Outlander a go a while back for it's scottish roots and influence (a huge part of my book I'm writing) but I personally found it a little too... gushy. I guess what I'm trying to say is the story definitely tries to appeal to women. I was unsure at first if the main character was a bit of a Mary Sue but I'm guessing I should have kept watching to find out. No doubt it has violence and some Scottish politics. If you liked Braveheart you may like this one. It wasn't for me personally but it might be for you if you enjoy cheesy but not cheesy romances in fantasy.

Avatar The Last Airbender Live-Action on Netflix. It's not out yet, not by a long shot but I don't know about you but I'm ready for the show I grew up watching to finally get the proper live-action treatment. Especially with the original show creators on the job. In other words, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF IM SQUEALING AND ITCHING WITH EXCITEMENT I'M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!! It's supposed to come out in 2020. That's the news as of right now.

Finally, Parks and Recreation if you need a little bit of humor in your life or the West Wing if you need a bit of award-winning writing and dialogue. The West Wing has politics, and consequences. I've only seen a bit of it (While eating a tom and jerry's brownie chocolate cup grieving a very uncomfortable job interview) but it was enough to be able to say it has some interesting dialogue. 

Feel like I was missing a recommendation? Comment below if you have one! I know the Last Kingdom has gotten a lot of praise recently and it has a lot of battles. My fellow GOT fan-friend has been trying to get me into that one.

9. Read a book.

Try filling the void by dabbling in good ol' stories. Maybe go to the influences of Game Of Thrones and try reading myths, folklore, stuff like Beowulf if you really want to get in there. Or even The Lord Of The Rings.

Some of us are looking for something to fill that void to distract us, entertain us, or make us into more well-rounded cultured and smarter people. Take a note from Tyrion and read. :)

Hope this helped / aided you in your show-grieving process! I know it can be hard when your friends at work pass around memes mocking your grief over that show with dragons but it's ok. Take your time to grieve! I hope I was able to be of some help! Thanks for reading!