[alittlelikemusic]

I have an older sister (older than me by 14 years), and she's always copying everything I do. It drives me crazy. When I was a teenager, I wanted to grow up and become a writer and bestselling author. She takes my dream and starts writing and selling books.

Our mother got me a computer once, and then she complained she wanted one too. I got a playstation and then she wanted one. I wanted to draw and then she started drawing. I wanted to do comics and now she's trying to do comics.

I buy certain foods, and then she starts buying them too.

I feel like I'm going nuts. This is pissing me off.

[Open Eyes]

Sounds like your sister is struggling to figure out what she wants and gets ideas from you of things to try doing. That’s a big age difference between the two of you. You both live at home?

[alittlelikemusic]

Yeah. We both live with our mom. She's been doing this for years though. I don't understand. Then again, she and our other sister (her twin) share this thing where they keep coming up with new ideas and then they don't follow through with it. It's like they can't pick one thing to do and then stick with it. However, the Copy Cat sister had her own thing. She was into real estate at first. Then I realized that our other sister was into real estate too.

I don't know. Maybe she is struggling to find herself or find out what she wants to do, but always copying me is frustrating. It makes me want to abandon whatever I'm into. I also feel like I should stop sharing with her things I like to do since I know she'll just take over my hobbies and interests. It's really bringing me down.

[sarahsweets]

Hey @ alittlelikemusic Is it possible to she admires you? Do you think there any hidden motivations about copying you that she has?

[Open Eyes]

Well, it’s very human to see something someone else is doing and want to try it too. Watching others can inspire and that has led to so many different styles of music and art and fashion and architecture to name just a few examples out of countless ones.

It’s a part of human nature.

[alittlelikemusic]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

Hey @ alittlelikemusic Is it possible to she admires you? Do you think there any hidden motivations about copying you that she has?

I really want it to be admiration, but this sister has been both emotionally and physically abusive in the past. As for any hidden motivations, I don't know. I guess I could find out if I were to confront her, but I don't want to do that. Confrontations with her never go well.

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

Well, it’s very human to see something someone else is doing and want to try it too. Watching others can inspire and that has led to so many different styles of music and art and fashion and architecture to name just a few examples out of countless ones.

It’s a part of human nature.

I understand that, but it just doesn't seem normal to copy everything. There have been many people who have done things that I found inspiring, but it didn't make me want to do every single thing I saw. Imitation breeding new styles and niches is actually pretty cool.

I think I'll just focus on what I'm doing and try to stop worrying about it. It's not like I can really stop her anyway.

Thank you Sarah and Open Eyes for responding. I appreciate it. It felt nice just to talk about it at least.

[Prycejosh1987]

I love this message, its fantastic, usually the younger sister copies the older one, for your older sister to copy you is a good thing. You should take it as a compliment, although i get the feeling your sister feels like she wants to be loved and cherished like you. When someone gets older the younger days can put a strain on them. I mean that younger days are always the best days, where everything in every aspect is much better. I would say take it on the chin and take it as a compliment.

[MsLady]

Is it possible she resents the attention you get from your mom?

(Btw, there's definitely a big age gap between you so it's a bit alarming she'd be physically abusive towards you?)

I say this because it seems like she wants your mom to buy her the things she just bought you and has been abusive towards you.

I'm also wondering if there's a bit of resentment from you that she copied a goal you had for yourself and had some success in it. She sold her books so it sounds like success for her.

I also wonder.. twins generate A LOT of attention.. then 14 years later, you were born.. taking away their spotlight at an age when she was likely figuring things out for herself. Maybe she felt emotionally abandoned?

Talk with her. Either she admires you or is competing for the attention you generate. That's my thought, anyway.

[herbal tea]

I think your sister has a problem with not knowing what she wants in life.
Because a person who is sure what she wants, what she likes, and so on, does not copy anyone but makes independent decisions.
And I understand that it makes you angry because she steals your ideas. But it seems to me that you should rather not be angry with your older sister, but feel sorry for her.