I am sitting in the kitchen at the end of an exhausting evening. The kitchen is cluttered with the remnants of dinner, and I am tired and frustrated that I wasn't able to be the perfect mom I strive to be. The kids argued a lot, which bothered me. As I sit there with a comforting cup of coffee, I reach for a tattered notebook lying on the table. It was the family journal my son had established, encouraging everyone to write about their daily experiences whenever they had the chance.

I opened the journal and began to read. My son had humorously described the events in the kitchen during dinner. Within minutes, my mood had completely shifted, and I found myself rolling with laughter, feeling a healthy, liberating release.

What happened? To understand this, let me first explain a psychological concept used in NLP techniques.

Dissociation in NLP involves mentally stepping back from an experience and viewing it as an observer rather than a participant. By doing so, the emotional charge associated with the experience is significantly diminished. This mental distancing helps in gaining a more objective perspective, making it easier to process and cope with the emotions involved. This technique can be particularly effective in reducing the impact of negative experiences and enhancing emotional resilience.

When dealing with unpleasant or distressing events, dissociation allows individuals to manage their emotions more effectively. By viewing the situation from a detached perspective, the intensity of negative feelings such as fear, anger, or sadness is reduced. This makes it easier to reflect on the experience, learn from it, and move forward without being bogged down by overwhelming emotions. Various NLP exercises can facilitate this process, but one of the most accessible and effective tools available to everyone is reading.

Reading provides an excellent means of achieving dissociation, particularly through stories and narratives that engage the mind and offer new perspectives. When readers immerse themselves in a book, they are naturally distanced from their own experiences, allowing them to view situations and emotions from an external viewpoint. This not only provides a mental break but also offers valuable insights and coping mechanisms through the characters and scenarios in the story.

A prime example of how reading can facilitate dissociation is the phenomenal work of Charles Schulz in his *Peanuts* series. Schulz masterfully presents everyday situations that could be bothersome or frustrating, such as Charlie Brown's struggles with self-doubt, Lucy's bossiness, or Linus's insecurities. However, he frames these situations in a humorous and light-hearted manner, allowing readers to see them from an outside perspective.

By infusing humor into these scenarios, Schulz enables readers to dissociate from the stress or annoyance that these situations might typically evoke. The light-hearted depiction of life's challenges helps readers to laugh at the absurdity and find relief in knowing that everyone faces similar issues. This humorous dissociation provides significant emotional relief, offering a healthy outlet for stress and promoting mental well-being.

The ability to view distressing situations from a humorous and detached perspective is therapeutic. It allows individuals to acknowledge and process their emotions without being overwhelmed. The laughter and amusement derived from Schulz's *Peanuts* series serve as a release, helping to reduce stress and improve mood. This form of dissociation is not about avoiding emotions but rather about managing them in a healthy and constructive way.

And as grandmothers often say, "If we will laugh about these events in a few years, why not start laughing about them now?!"