Types of Patterns

patternPatterns

Types of Patterns

Once you can name a pattern, you can start reshaping it.

patternTypes of Patterns

Types of Patterns

Welcome to the next step in the Patterns stage. You’ve already explored the Cliff Edge, where you can see old habits keeping you from moving forward.

”Now, we’ll take a closer look at what those habits actually are — the patterns that shape how you think, feel, and act. Once you can name a pattern, you can start reshaping it.”

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Session Objectives

Session Objectives – Types of Patterns

This session explores the different types of patterns that shape your retirement — how you think, behave, feel, and relate to others and to yourself. Recognising these patterns is the first step towards understanding how they influence your daily experience and where change might be needed. By the end of this session, you will be able to:

patternTypes of Patterns

Examples of Helpful and Unhelpful Patterns

Patterns appear in many areas of life. They can be internal — shaped by your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and physical responses — or external, reflected in your actions, relationships, routines, and surroundings. Most patterns combine both, adapting to the context you’re in.

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Attention

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Staying focused on what matters most day to day.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Becoming preoccupied with minor worries or other people’s opinions.

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Thinking

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Reflecting before reacting; seeing setbacks as opportunities to learn.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Overthinking decisions or replaying the past.

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Believing

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Trusting that growth and fulfilment are still possible after retirement.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Believing it’s too late to change or start something new.

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Behaving

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Taking small, consistent actions; maintaining structure and balance.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Procrastination, avoidance, or overplanning instead of acting.

patternTypes of Patterns

Examples of Helpful and Unhelpful Patterns

Each type represents a recurring way of thinking, behaving, feeling, or relating that can either strengthen or undermine your retirement.

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Feeling

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Allowing emotions to guide your choices with calm and perspective.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Suppressing or ignoring emotions until they surface as stress or anxiety.

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Relating

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Building supportive, reciprocal relationships and setting healthy boundaries.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): People-pleasing, avoiding conflict, or withdrawing from connection.

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Time

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Prioritising what brings meaning, rest, and enjoyment.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Overcommitting or filling every hour to avoid stillness.

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Physical

arrow_rightHelpful (Over There Place): Moving regularly and holding yourself with energy and confidence.
arrow_rightUnhelpful (Cliff Edge): Physical tension, low energy, or inactivity reinforcing low mood.

Types of Patterns

Transformation

Helpful (Over There Place): Staying curious, learning new skills, and welcoming growth.

Unhelpful (Cliff Edge): Resisting change, clinging to routine, or fearing the unknown.

Each pattern type offers valuable clues about how you live and respond to retirement. Recognising them, both internally and externally, is the first step toward strengthening what helps and replacing what holds you back.

edit_noteYou will get the chance to fully investigate your patterns in the Cliff Edge activity, but for now make a mental note of which of these examples you relate to the most.