The 7 Stages Of Grief, As Told By A One Direction Fan

It's been a downhill battle since August 2015.

1. Shock

Via 1dgifforthat.tumblr.com

Reports of One Direction's hiatus first broke on August 24, 2015. Rumors have a tendency to spread pretty quickly on the Internet, so it was easy to brush it off as another stupid prank put forth by Public Enemy No. 1 (the Beliebers).

The media quickly caught on. They sure do love using the "One Direction is going in separate directions" pun.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

2. Denial

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While we waited for anyone (literally, anyone) to confirm or deny the rumors, it was easy to convince ourselves it wasn't true. There was no way. What were they going to do with all their free time? Won't they get bored? But, they love touring. Don't they want to tour this new album? Don't they love us?

And then Niall, sweet baby Niall, our leprechaun, our Irish cherub, tweeted this:

Niall Horan @NiallOfficial

Ok so Lots of rumours going round. We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well earned break at some point next year

10:02 PM - 24 Aug 2015

Via Twitter: @NiallOfficial

And that was that.

3. Anger

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I'd always been a One Direction fan, but I'd never been a real fan of One Direction until about the middle of last year. This past summer was the first time I'd seen them live.

It took me so long to fully immerse myself in the wonderful and also terrible world of One Direction that when I finally did, let me tell you, I was in so deep. So when the hiatus was confirmed, just two weeks after I'd seen them in concert for the very first time, it seemed like a cruel twist of fate.

From the day the hiatus was announced, I've been a total champion of the idea that after five years of constant songwriting, recording, promo, and touring (rinse and repeat), the four boys are more than overdue for a nice break. Really. I don't see anything wrong with it. Other than that I will miss them so deeply and terribly while they are away, but it's no big deal.

But I sure am mad at every person who comes up to me and asks, "So what's the deal with One Direction's break-up?"

4. Bargaining

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Okay, but, guys, are you listening? I will plan out this entire tour for you. I will film and edit a million more music videos by myself. I'll take care of everything. You just need to keep being your charming selves. Please? I tweet about you guys enough, I'm already practically your press person. Think about it.

kelmo @kellynamesom

i'm honestly willing to suffer through icona pop again if it means i get to see 1d one more time

12:28 AM - 10 Nov 2015

Via Twitter: @kellynamesom

5. Guilt

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Could I have been a better fan? What could I have done differently? If I could go back in time, would it have changed anything?

I bought the new album three times and stream it on Spotify constantly, but, maybe I should've bought it a few more times. I shouldn't have listened to Justin Bieber's Purpose when it came out on the same day as Made in the A.M.. I should've gone to more concerts. I should've become a real fan sooner.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda...

6. Depression

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For those watching at home, this is where most fans are right now. Times are dark. Liam hasn't been photographed in, like, two weeks. Does anyone actually know where Niall is? Did you guys see that poor excuse for a pancake Louis instagrammed the other day? Harry's... just being Harry, I guess—no one ever really knows what he's up to.

We fans don't have much to look forward to right now. There's no huge summer tour coming our way in a few short months. We all know they had already filmed the "Infinity" music video before they decided to release "History" as their last single instead, but it's unlikely we'll ever see it, just like the 900 hours of footage from This Is Us that we'll never get to see either. We're all so used to them churning out albums and worldwide stadium tours and music videos like machines that it's hard to get used to the idea of them being away for a while.

7. Acceptance and Hope

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In "Walking in the Wind," the 15th track off of their newest album, Made in the A.M., Niall and Liam's sweet voices sing, "Oh, we had some good times, didn't we?" Remember those good times. Watch their music videos (bonus points for watching all the behind the scenes videos, too). Relive their journey from their first X-Factor performance to - gulp - their last. Put your favorite songs in one playlist so you're always ready to go - or follow mine!

embed.spotify.com / Via open.spotify.com

It'll all be okay. There's only, like, 500 days left of the hiatus, and then they'll be back and better than ever. Keep the faith.

One Band. One Dream. One Direction. This is not the end. We can make it, you know it, you know.

kelmo @kellynamesom

promise me no matter where life takes us, you'll still go to the next one direction concert with me

01:16 AM - 12 Nov 2015

Via Twitter: @kellynamesom