TC Guiding Change
TC Guiding Change
Guiding Change was a training course that took place from June 2-10, 2026, in Dobrinishte, Bulgaria.
Participants' experiences:
What was I even looking for there?
Honestly? I don't even know. When I boarded the bus to Bulgaria, all I had in my head was, "it'll work out somehow." Dobrinishte, a small mountain town I wouldn't have found on a map myself, became the place where I spent probably the most intense week of the past year.
The course was called CHANGE and revolved around non-violent communication. The sound of that might seem dry, but in practice, it was something else. Most of the time, we were doing things where, as an introvert, I initially just observed others. Role-plays, group exercises, conversations with people I'd met two hours ago, and suddenly I was telling them about things we don't even talk about with friends at home.
One thing I remember specifically: there was a walk. I don't know why, but that's when something clicked for me. Maybe it was the air, maybe just a break from everything. For the first time, I mentally named what I actually needed. Not what I wanted from others, not what should be. Just my own.
I came home and for a few days, I was strangely quiet. My parents asked if everything was alright.
Day 0 · 02.06 · Arrival
Upon arrival at the accommodation, we received introductory information about the week's program and participated in several simple get-to-know-you activities. Nothing too demanding, just enough to put names to faces before everything fully began.
Day 1 · 03.06 · Curiosity
The theme of the day was getting to know each other a little deeper. In the afternoon, we went into town with a simple task – to take two photos that, for us, captured the concept of "change." I photographed the sky and a price list showing the transition from local currency to the euro. These were small things, but they made one think.
Day 2 · 04.06 · Honesty
A large part of the day was dedicated to honesty and what it truly means in practice. One activity stuck in my mind – we had to imagine one person in our lives with whom we weren't completely honest, and reflect on why. In the end, I talked about it with someone from the group. Essentially, with a stranger. It was both simple and challenging at the same time.
Day 3 · 05.06 · Awareness
We spent the whole day outdoors. First, we took a narrow-gauge train through the Rhodope Mountains past Bansko, then we did a hiking circuit and ended up at another station. During the journey, we talked in pairs about various topics. These were pleasant conversations – the kind that somehow only happen when you're walking somewhere together.
Day 4 · 06.06 · Needs
The entire day was dedicated to understanding one's own needs. The main idea was that before you can resolve a conflict with someone else, you must first know what you yourself need. It sounds simple, but in reality, it's much more challenging.
Day 5 · 07.06 · Growth
We had a picnic in nature. The trainer based the entire session on ideas from the book Atomic Habits, and we discussed how small changes gradually accumulate and what conditions truly help people grow. It was a pleasant change of scenery.
Day 6 · 08.06 · Empathy
Today was about empathy – towards others and towards oneself. We explored how the ability to first show empathy makes it easier to find a compromise, even when two people come from completely different perspectives.
Day 7 · 09.06 · C.H.A.N.G.E.
The last day. We looked back at the whole week and what each individual day had brought us. Then we took turns, and everyone said what was on their mind – things they wanted to tell the others before leaving. It was a nice way to conclude the whole week.
