Rose Bud Thorn Exercise

Rose, Bud, and Thorn.

Taking a step back and reflecting on our experiences provides us with information that we can use to inform future events and next steps or embrace as small wins. 

One way to engage in a retrospective process is the rose bud thorn exercise. 

This is a mindfulness activity where people, whether individually or each team member in a group, identify three types of data . This design thinking technique can be applied in many ways, for example, a review of a completed project or a reflection of your day, week, or any desired time frame. 

Feel free to simply discuss these verbally or to jot them down on sticky notes.  If you choose to use sticky notes it may be best to use sticky notes of different colors for each element of the rose bud thorn exercise.  

You can use this as a conversation starter with others also; for example, at dinner with the family, everyone can share a quick rose, bud and thorn from their day.

This rose bud thorn process is a simple and versatile method that can lead to greater problem solving by documenting observations and reviewing them in this framework to identify focus areas for yourself or a team member.  

Of course this information can be used in a therapeutic setting to check in on more sensitive topics as well.

1) Rose – Things That Went Well – Keep It Up!

The first set of information consists of things (e.g., actions, events, ideas, other good things) that have worked or gone well. These encompass your celebratory moments, successes, and/or things to continue doing, giving yourself a little positive feedback for things that look pretty good and to look forward to in the future. 

Anything designated under the rose category is something positive that happened. 

2) Bud – Areas for Development or Improvement; Opportunities To Flourish

The second set of data pertains to areas that allow for development. This can look like ideas that you have started to develop but not quite completed or a topic that you may be looking forward to learning more about. 

Also, this can be an event or activity that you are excited to experience or try. Anything under the bud group calls for something requiring growth and nurture.

3) Thorn – Areas or Activities Potentially Needing Attention 

The third and final set of information in the rose bud thorn exercise entails anything that may be challenging or needing support. These reflect things that gave you a hard time, caused stress, or experiences that proved to be difficult. 

To help address this, ask yourself: “What do I wish would have turned out better?” Anything considered a thorn would be things that neither went well nor worked.

By following this easy and effective process in the rose bud and thorn process, you can gather information that you may have not considered and develop a holistic view. 

Over time, you may uncover themes and patterns, which, in turn, helps further your understanding of yourself or item under evaluation.

Janice Cuaresma

Mental Health Student Intern