Introduction
In a previous post, I introduced a concept I called Provisional Absolutism—the idea of holding beliefs firmly enough to act on them, yet staying open to adjusting them when new insights arise. But the term itself felt cumbersome and too abstract. In this follow-up, I’m introducing a new working name: Patterned Belief. This name better captures how we design, fit, and refine our ideas in real-world contexts, much like a tailor testing different fabrics and cuts on a variety of mannequins.
I. Recap: Patterns and Mannequins
- The Pattern Book
Imagine your mind stores a running set of “patterns”—ideas, observations, rules of thumb—formed from personal experience, external feedback, and trial-and-error. - The Mannequin (Context)
These patterns aren’t much help unless you put them on a “mannequin,” which represents a specific context or situation. Only when you test your pattern on something real can you see if it fits, where it’s too loose, or where it’s too tight.
II. Why Context is Everything
Just like a shirt pattern might seem perfect on paper but fit poorly on a real mannequin, certain beliefs can feel correct but fail to deliver the results or acceptance we expect. The Patterned Belief mindset helps us:
- Adopt a pattern confidently enough to see what it does in practice.
- Adjust that pattern if it doesn’t align with the context—or even alter the mannequin (context) if our assumptions were off.
- Accumulate refined patterns in our “book” for future use, rather than tossing out imperfect ones or clinging to them unchanged.
III. Personal Anecdote: Redefining a Childhood Pattern
When I was young, the social patterns I perfected at home—being bubbly, enthusiastic, and talkative—worked brilliantly with my small family. My grandmother often said I had a “good heart,” and those patterns were treasured in that space.
But then I stepped into elementary school. Instead of fostering affection, those same behaviors invited mockery and ridicule. I was devastated. I assumed I had to destroy my old cheerful pattern in order to survive. I shelved my playful side, convinced it had no place in public.
Years later, I realized I didn’t need to get rid of it entirely—I just needed to refine it for new contexts. In middle school and high school, I learned to deploy that playfulness in smaller bursts, read social cues more carefully, and incorporate it into friendships. The key lesson? A pattern that fails in one context might be incredibly valuable in another.
IV. From Provisional Absolutism to Patterned Belief
“Provisional Absolutism” spoke to the dual need for conviction and flexibility—but it never captured the practical, hands-on feeling of testing ideas in context. Patterned Belief shifts the emphasis to:
- Concrete Metaphors: Patterns (beliefs) and mannequins (contexts).
- Iterative Adjustments: Tailoring beliefs instead of discarding them at the first sign of conflict.
- Shared Pattern Book: Recognizing that others may have patterns to share, and by exchanging them, everyone has a chance to refine and grow.
Side Note: While I believe these concepts can help anyone, they can be especially empowering for those on the autism spectrum who crave systematized, proven approaches to daily challenges. The Patterned Belief framework offers a structured way to adopt, test, and evolve behaviors without feeling locked into a single rigid identity.
V. Practical Steps to Start Using Patterned Belief
- Identify a Pattern
Pick a belief, habit, or approach you rely on—anything from how you handle conflict to how you introduce yourself to new people. - Select a Mannequin
A “mannequin” could be a current relationship, workplace culture, or creative project. Pin your pattern on it. - Observe the Fit
Does your pattern succeed, or are there obvious misalignments? It’s not failure—it’s feedback. - Refine, Don’t Discard
Before you toss a pattern out entirely, see if small tweaks can make it work. Keep the best parts that continue to serve you in other contexts.
Conclusion
Patterned Belief is, at its core, about blending faith in our ideas with flexibility for real-world conditions. It’s an ongoing process of designing, testing, and readjusting—to ensure our beliefs are more than just theories on paper.
Call to Action
- Open your own “pattern book” and find one idea or habit you’ve shelved because it didn’t fit a particular context.
- Ask whether it could succeed in a different context—or if minor adjustments could make it relevant again.
- Remember: A valuable pattern in the wrong context can appear useless, but with the right mannequin, it might become an essential part of your life.
Transparency Note: This post was structured and edited with the assistance of a Large Language Model (LLM). However, every idea, argument, and insight originates from my own thinking. The LLM is used solely to refine communication—never to generate artistic or literary works. (For more, see my Transparency Policy.)
