*Cuban creator Maydalina*, known on TikTok as @maydalinavalentina, released a video explaining her choice to voluntarily return to Cuba, addressing critics who questioned her move.
In the video, Maydalina recounts how people warned her against going back: "Are you crazy? How can you think of returning to Cuba right now? You have nothing there." Instead of being swayed, this content creator chose to follow her own instincts: "Sometimes in life, you have to listen to your heart more than other people's opinions."
The influencer made her way back to the island around mid-February 2026. As she shared in the video, she had been back for "a month and a few days, holding onto the same dreams." She describes this time as "full of changes and challenges, yet also rich with learning. When life shakes you, you start to understand what truly matters: health, family, and the people who stand by you."
The journey hasn't been easy. "It's not easy, but it's not impossible either," Maydalina admits, noting that she's "starting from scratch for the third time," hinting at at least two previous life restarts. Nevertheless, she remains hopeful: "Yes, I'm starting over and slowly rebuilding what we once dreamed of." Her story echoes that of other compatriots who have recently chosen to return to the island.
Maydalina plans to document her readaptation process with complete honesty: "I want to share this journey with you, without filters and without pretending to have a perfect life, just the reality of someone who decided to start anew with great faith and hope that dreams can also be put to use."
The video's response was swift, reflecting the split opinions such decisions often generate. Some applauded her resolve—“You did the right thing, I plan to do the same and go back to my Cuba,” one user commented—while others highlighted the harsh realities of living on the island: “This country isn’t for everyone, you have to push forward here.” Skeptical comments also emerged, such as “Let’s see if faith and dreams can feed you,” alongside supportive messages, emojis of affection, and others expressing doubt or surprise at her choice.