Q&A for How to Forget a Spoiler

Forgetting a spoiler within such a short amount of time can be very difficult, but it is not impossible. Focus on other things, mainly something that will distract you from your thoughts. The more you think about the spoiler, the harder it will be to forget.

If something's been spoiled for you and you're trying your best to forget it, try to stay away the best you can from places you might see the spoiler again until you forget about it completely. The more times you see a spoiler, the harder it will be to forget it, so avoidance is much better than trying to forget it multiple times.

Only you can decide. Sometimes it’s fine to know a spoiler if it’s not a massive one, you don’t really need to forget it.

Nobody likes spoilers. They can really ruin a great surprise. But if someone has spoiled something for you, you can try to block out the thoughts so you can still enjoy it. Try to let your mind go blank when you think of the spoiler. You need a strategy for handling the thought when it pops into your mind. Start by ignoring the thought of the spoiler completely when it comes. Instead, think of nothing—picture a white wall or a blank sheet of paper. Some people may have difficulty doing this, so don't feel bad if it doesn't work super well for you. Try substituting the unwanted thought with a different one whenever it pops up. You could replace the memory of the spoiler with the plot of another TV show that you’ve already watched, for example. Try pushing the spoiler out of your mind every day. It takes time, but you may be able to suppress the memory with repetition.

You may not be able to entirely forget a memory, but you can try to stop thinking about it by performing a ritual release. A ritual release is a mental exercise that can help you forget a memory. To begin the exercise, transform the memory into a detailed mental snapshot. It could be an old-timey black-and-white photograph, or a more recent color printout. Either way, make sure the mental photograph is a three-dimensional object in your mind. Then, imagine that you have set the mental photograph on fire. Start by picturing the edges of the photo curling up and turning brown. Watch as the fire burns through the mental image until the entire photograph has finally turned to ash and crumbled away. Repeat the mental exercise on a daily basis until you no longer think about it.

You actually can suppress and block out negative thoughts if you set your mind to it. But first you need to understand that blocking a thought is difficult. It can actually help you do it. Scientists have found that if they explain to people in advance that blocking a thought is a difficult process, it actually prevents “rebounding” (when the thought returns, but even stronger). So, before you get started, acknowledge that this process won’t be simple or instantaneous. Whenever you have the bad thoughts, picture a white wall or a blank sheet of paper. It can help you clear your mind. Then, substitute the thought with a different one. For instance, you could think about your favorite dessert or a song that you love instead. It takes time, but if you practice this every time you have negative thoughts, eventually, you won't have them as often. With enough work and dedication, you may not have the bad thoughts at all.