By Dr Bibiana Chan
Reflections on “Bonding Through Flowers” workshop on 2nd May. I found myself doing what I often encourage others to do—pause, reflect, and learn.
There were many positive comments, which I am deeply grateful for. At the same time, I intentionally sat with some of the more challenging feedback—not to dwell on it, but to understand what lessons it might teach me.
One comment made me smile: a tween suggested I should be “more funny” because my jokes were “kinda… bad.” 😜 (E.g. I bought along 11 big yogurt tubs as ‘re-imagined flower vases’. I joked that “I have eaten so much yogurt!’). I’ll admit, my initial reaction was a mix of amusement and self-consciousness! But upon reflection, I realised that this is part of engaging with this age group. Tweens often express themselves in playful, sometimes cheeky ways. Encouragingly, the same participant shared that she enjoyed spending time with her mum and sister—which, after all, was the heart of the workshop. This reaffirmed something important: while my facilitation style may not resonate with every age group in the same way, the core objective—creating space for families to connect—was achieved.
Another cluster of feedback centred on wanting “more flowers,” “more greenery,” or “bigger bouquets.” Rather than viewing these as complaints, I see them as a reminder of how expectations are shaped. In today’s visually driven world (thanks to social media), it is easy to imagine something more elaborate. Moving forward, I will continue to ensure that promotional materials clearly show what participants will be creating, so expectations are aligned with the experience offered.
I also noticed how participants’ backgrounds can shape their feedback. For example, someone with prior experience in structured floral arts may find a “creative freedom” approach unfamiliar or even confusing. Yet, this very freedom—“there is no right or wrong in creating art”—has consistently been one of the most appreciated aspects of Community Flower Studio workshops, particularly among young people.
Finally, I encountered a few situations that reminded me of the realities of running community programs—such as participants not strictly adhering to age guidelines. Our target group was the Tweens 9 – 12 yr – to explore how best to support family bonding. While a wide age range (9 – 18) can be challenging, it also highlights the strong interest in accessible, meaningful activities for families. It is a balance I continue to navigate with both clarity and compassion.
Overall, this workshop reaffirmed why we do what we do. Beyond the flowers, it was about shared moments, and connection across generations. For me, that remains the true measure of success. Thank you to my lovely co-facilitators, Grace Eu & her hubby, with set-up and pack-away. Funding from Bendigo Bank. & Rotary Club of Ku-ring-gai Inc.,
As always, I am grateful for every piece of feedback—both affirming and challenging—as each one helps shape the journey ahead.
Note: This reflection was originally published in LinkedIn.