Creating a 'Thinking Environment': Reflections and observations

A couple of months ago, I felt ready to formally reflect on and document my learnings on facilitating group discussions utilizing Nancy Kline's inspiring Thinking Environment and its 10 powerful components.

A journey that started 10 years ago in Ireland, in the beautiful town of Dun Laoghaire and continued throughout all these years by more reading, practicing and observing the impact its implementation has in my work and personal relationships.

This path lead me to the next step, to enroll to the Time To Think facilitator course a couple of years ago, in 2023, having been trained to its Foundations and while I was slowly emerging from major life transitions...changes at home, in location, in work, in relationship status... to name just a few.

Hopeful, excited and encouraged, I am creating this space to share my learnings, observations and experiences of others.

Reflections of a Thinking Environment

Today I was reminded once again of something I already knew deep inside:

the Thinking Environment always works.

Always.

When a space of safety, calm, and trust is created, people think more clearly, feel more deeply, and connect more meaningfully.

I saw the magic unfold before my eyes: with just a piece of paper, a pencil, and a few questions, participants immersed themselves in thought, wrote, felt, and discovered.

I heard words that moved me:

“I feel strange and yet beautiful when I look into your eyes.”

“My thoughts run uncontrollably, and I summon my logic to bring me back.”

“’(Self)-appreciation brings calm, and encouragement brings acceptance.”

Through every phrase, I witnessed the power of trust and human connection.

I witnessed once again the power of appreciation, what emotion literally means.

That when we listen attentively and receive with gratitude the appreciation of someone who also listens to us with care and recognizes our beautiful qualities, something moves within us.

Something important that touches us, moves us…emotion, from motion + together.

At the end of the day, I felt calm and certain.

That I am on the right path.

That I have the skills, the tools, and the faith to continue.

I will keep moving forward with steadiness, dedication, and love for what I do.