Eldris, a Cuban residing in France, posted a video on TikTok yesterday that is garnering a lot of attention: in less than three minutes, she narrates how she had to move more than 5,000 km from her home to finally start focusing on herself.
Eldris publishes content under the name "Country Change," and her story is not just that of a Cuban emigrant: it is that of someone who lived trapped in a directionless routine, meeting the expectations of others and never asking herself what she truly wanted for her own life.
"My only goal was to work, earn money, and survive the problems that already surrounded me," he confesses in the video.
It describes an existence marked by a lack of purpose: "I never asked myself what I wanted. In truth, I didn't focus on what was good for me, but rather on what could be useful for others."
It was the arrival in France that opened his eyes to something that the previous pace of life had prevented him from seeing.
"If you are not well with yourself, you cannot be well with anyone else. You cannot help, you cannot grow, you cannot see beyond your own problems," she says with a clarity that resonates with those who listen to her.
Eldris acknowledges that she used to spend hours consuming videos of people achieving great things, while she remained in the same place.
"I used to complain, I was frustrated, I compared myself to the lives of others, but I avoided looking at my own. And that's where the problem lies," he admits.
The turning point came when he understood that the paralysis was not the fault of the country or the circumstances: "It was solely my responsibility, the responsibility we all have to fulfill our dreams or simply steer them along the right path."
That moment is summed up in one sentence: "That day I stopped living from complaint and started living from decision."
His story is part of a growing phenomenon on TikTok: that of Cubans sharing their personal transformation journeys from abroad, connecting with audiences who resonate with their experiences.
It is not the only recent case. In April, a Cuban woman in France bought a house for her mother after starting from scratch, and previously, a young Cuban in the United States showcased her achievements at 21 years old, while a Cuban TikToker bid farewell to the island in search of freedom in a video that also made a significant impact.
Eldris emphasizes that his message is not exclusive to Cubans or Latinos: "I was more focused on meeting others' expectations than on building my own path. And that’s something that happens to many, not just Cubans, not just Latinos, not just Europeans, to many."
Although he acknowledges that there is still a long way to go, his tone is that of someone who has already found their direction.
"Life changes when you stop just surviving and finally start choosing yourself," she concludes.
Filed under: