What is "Relatable"?

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If you asked me which characters I relate to, I would have to think long and hard about it, and likely not be able to produce a legitimate answer. However, If you asked me which characters I like, I would bring out a scroll of paper which, when unraveled, rolls down to the floor and keeps on rolling. And so I beg the question: Why is it so important to other people that they have characters who are like them; whom they can “relate” to? That they can “see themselves” in the works? Because I tell you right now, stories I can relate to are not stories I want to read. I imagine a scenario in which a person approaches me in a library, with a book in their hand. “Katt,” they say to me, “I found this book I think you’ll enjoy. It’s about a girl who struggles with her mental illness and anxiety.” I smile politely at them and say “No, thank you. It sounds a bit dark for my liking.” I am then approached by a second person. “Katt,” they say, “I found a book about an elf who must stop an evil wizard from stealing all the magic in the kingdom.” I raise my eyebrows, intrigued. They hand me the book and I start leafing through it. “It looks very interesting,” I say. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.” And I tuck the book under my arm and go to check out. The first person stands there, perplexed and bamboozled. How could I reject their realistic story in favor of the second person’s fantasy? I am not an elf, I am a human. And I struggle with mental illness and anxiety, not evil wizards. I could not possibly relate to this elf character! Here’s the thing, though: I wish I were a mentally sound elf who lives in a kingdom full of magic. And I wish I were brave enough to go on a quest to save said kingdom. I read books, watch television, and play video games as a means of temporary escape from my struggles. If I read a story where someone was struggling with the same malarkey I had to deal with, I would find no relief in it. It would only serve as a cruel reminder.