The Day I Chose Myself Memoir eBook

She thought strength meant enduring almost anything.

The Day I Chose Myself is a survivor's true account of intimate partner violence, addiction, and the long, uneven road to safety. Cindy Breland writes as a Haudenosaunee and Cree woman, tracing how fear became normal, how many times she tried to leave before it finally held, and what it cost her to stay silent for so long.

This is not a story about a single moment of rescue. It's about the slow work of recognizing abuse for what it is, letting go of blame that was never hers to carry, and understanding that choosing her own safety wasn't selfish — it was survival.

Written for anyone who has stayed longer than they meant to, who has gone back more times than they can count, or who is quietly wondering if they're strong enough to leave, this memoir offers something rare: proof that it's possible, and a companion for the parts of the journey no one talks about. Includes a dedicated Resources for Survivors section with safety planning guidance for readers and the people who love them.

For every woman who has ever wondered if she is strong enough to leave.