A Cuban woman living in the United States has gone viral on TikTok by sharing a thought-provoking reflection that has resonated with thousands: the challenge of discussing personal issues with family in Cuba without feeling dismissed or unheard. "I feel like an alien. When you talk to people in Cuba, whoever they are, and you want to vent, it's as if you don't exist," the user @diabla1854 expressed in her video, which has garnered thousands of views on the platform.
According to her account, whenever she tries to discuss her own worries or challenges in the U.S., her family members in Cuba interrupt her to share their own woes, as if the struggles of living in exile are trivial compared to those faced on the island. "They come back at you with their problems, as if the only problems in the world are those of people in Cuba. Their problems are bigger than everyone else's, I don't understand," she lamented, visibly frustrated.
The social media response was immediate, with dozens of Cuban emigrants sharing similar experiences, acknowledging how challenging it can be to maintain an empathetic and balanced relationship with family living in a continuous state of crisis. "You help, listen, and send aid, but you also need to be heard. They think everything is easy here," wrote one user in the comments.
This post highlights a common emotional phenomenon among many Cubans living abroad: the emotional isolation they feel when they cannot share their own anxieties without feeling guilty or belittled. Amid the island's deepening economic and social crisis, differing perceptions of what it means to "have problems" seem to widen the emotional gap between those who left and those who stayed.
Understanding the Emotional Divide Between Cuban Expats and Their Families
Why do Cuban expats feel isolated when talking to family back home?
Cuban expats often feel isolated because their personal issues may be dismissed or overshadowed by their family's problems in Cuba, which are perceived as more severe due to the ongoing crisis.
How do Cuban emigrants cope with the emotional challenges of communicating with family in Cuba?
Many Cuban emigrants share their experiences with others in similar situations, seeking support and understanding from those who can relate to their struggles. Social media platforms also serve as a space for expressing these feelings.