For me it were patterns associated with avoidance and an protracted adolescence. Whether my patterns developed from my family of origin or were genetic, a mix most likely, they served me and made me who I am.
But the same patterns turned against me later in life - and I continued to act like a child and to avoid - using booze as my tool, my crutch and my altar.
I think so much of the romancing comes from the old patterns that we have to go into, explore and then break free from. I feel like I finally just grew up.