Exploring Patterns - The Hidden Threads of Our Lives

Lately, I’ve been playing the game Connections. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, it’s a word pattern game that requires you to group words that share a common thread. Sometimes the groupings can be obvious but more often they’re quite obscure. What I love most about it, is the challenge as it requires me to stretch my reasoning and logic to think outside the box and find the theme or thread.

Being able to identify and explore patterns is something I have to do in my coaching work, as we explore a relationship with wealth, we are looking for repeat beliefs, thoughts, emotions, habits, experiences and behaviors - which form the narrative or story of someone's relationship with money.

You might not realize it, but patterns are all around us, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and even our relationships. But what exactly is a pattern? At its core, it’s a repeat model or design, almost like a roadmap of how we respond to the world.

Patterns form over time, often influenced by our experiences, upbringing, and social circles. For example the way you approach challenges, money, or relationships often stems from early lessons learned or the behaviors you’ve observed in others. If you grew up in a household where saving was prioritized, for instance, you might have a wealth pattern that values being careful or frugal with your money.

Sometimes, seeing these patterns requires us to step back and “zoom out.” It’s like trying to spot constellations in the night sky—we often miss the bigger picture when we’re too focused on the individual stars. When we gain a different perspective, we can start to recognize the repetitive behaviors that influence our decisions. This awareness can be liberating!

The other thing with patterns is that by acknowledging and understanding our patterns, we empower ourselves to reshape and transform them . Want to break free from unhelpful habits? It starts with recognizing them! So next time you find yourself stuck in a loop, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself: “What pattern is playing out here?”

Embracing this perspective not only helps us grow but allows us to live more authentically and openly. Let’s celebrate the beautiful, messy, and transformative journey of understanding our patterns together!