Creating a 'Thinking Environment': Reflections, experiences and shared learnings
A space where thinking slows down and every voice matters
The reflections below are shared exactly as they were written by participants without edits.
Pause. This is different.
Earlier this year, 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 naturally lead me to the next step: enrolling in the Time To Think facilitator program, having completed the Foundations training in 2023. During this period, I was navigating significant life transitions- changes in home, location, work and relationships.
Hopeful, excited and encouraged, I am creating this space to share my reflections, learnings and lived experiences of others who participated in this work.
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.
Katerina describes...
'The Thinking Environment is like psychotherapy. You learn about yourself, you hear your own thoughts clearly, you feel emotions of ease, calm and acceptance. You get surprised with the similarities you have with people you meet for first time. '
