Hot take: I actually like when people bring up how they relate to my situation. I don’t assume they’re trying to steal the spotlight or one-up me. I see it as a person trying to help however they can by connecting & being vulnerable w me, as we should if we want community
sometimes, being there for someone simply means holding space. you don’t have to offer a solution, you don’t have to compare a similar experience of yours, you don’t have to offer advice. just listening to them and validating their emotional expression will mean the world.