When someone consistently adds a similar story of their own when you share your experiences, it could be an indication of several things:
Empathy and Relatability: One possible reason for this behavior is that the person is trying to show empathy and connect with you by sharing a similar experience. They want to demonstrate that they understand what you're going through and can relate to your feelings.
Seeking Connection: By sharing their own story, they might be attempting to create a deeper connection with you. It's a way of saying, "I've been through something similar, and we have common ground."
Communication Style: Some people naturally communicate by sharing personal experiences. For them, it's a way to contribute to the conversation and build rapport.
Validation: When they share their own story, they might be seeking validation for their own experiences or emotions.
Building Trust: Sharing personal stories can help build trust in a conversation. By being vulnerable themselves, they may hope you'll reciprocate and open up further.
Lack of Other Conversation Skills: It's possible that this person feels more comfortable sharing personal experiences than engaging in other conversation techniques.
While sharing personal stories can be a positive aspect of communication, it's essential to strike a balance in any conversation. If the person consistently dominates the conversation with their own experiences without showing genuine interest in yours, it might lead to feelings of invalidation or being unheard.
If you find this behavior bothersome, here are some suggestions:
Set Boundaries: If you feel like they're taking over the conversation, gently steer the focus back to your own experiences or let them know you'd like to talk more about your perspective.
Express Your Feelings: Share how you feel when they consistently respond with their own stories. They might not be aware of their communication style, and open communication can help them understand your perspective.
Encourage Active Listening: Ask them open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings related to your experiences. Encouraging them to actively listen can help balance the conversation.
Change the Topic: If the conversation is becoming repetitive, switch to a different topic or area of interest where they might not have personal experiences to share.
Be Patient: Remember that everyone has their unique communication styles, and some people may take time to adapt to different conversation dynamics.
Overall, communication is a two-way street, and both parties should be actively engaged and attentive to each other's feelings and experiences. Finding a balance between sharing personal stories and actively listening is essential for meaningful and fulfilling conversations.