I struggle. Daily.
Sometimes it's like the empathy button has been clicked, and I can feel everything, whether it's watching TV, a movie, talking to someone, or listening to someone discussing something on the radio.
Other times I just can't dial in; and it could be a neighbour, my mother in law, my psychologist, or my wife. if I'm not feeling the connection at that moment I'm just not able to empathise.
I may feel that it's something I should care about, but I just can't force myself to do it.
I can sometimes force myself to do small talk, but it feels contrived, fake, and pointless, and I am more likely to barge into a conversation about an issue of concern to me, than start with pleasantries like the weather or something light.
I'm more likely to discuss the state of my mother in law's dementia with my neighbour at the washing line, than to talk about the new doctor in doctor who (he is also a fan).
I don't know what to do about this, whether it's hard wired into my brain, or there is something I can do to have more control, but for now that's just the way it is.