So I've been noticing this thing lately when conversing with people, they usually share something from their life and it's usually I'm tired/this sucks/I have it so bad and I've been religiously completely ignoring those statements. But if I don't have anything other to say conversation just drops and we don't say anything.

Is there a different way to approach this? Should I acknowledge their 'trouble' as a way to connect/vibe or what?