October 14, 2025

"Writing Saved My Life" (Andrew’s Story)

At Park(ing) Day, I asked a simple question:

“Is art really self-care?”

That’s where I met Andrew Baird — a carpenter and infantry veteran who had been through homelessness, healing, and a rediscovery of self through writing.

What started as a chat about creativity turned into one of the most honest reflections on recovery I’ve ever heard.

Watch the full story here:

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

  • How Andrew used writing and journaling as a lifeline through homelessness and recovery.
  • Why sharing stress — instead of holding it in — can actually strengthen connection and mental health.
  • How art can become a form of self-care, even when it doesn’t look like art at all.

If this story resonated, you might also like:

Blog: 25 Journal Prompts to Reconnect With Yourself
Video: Is This Self-Care

To be the first to get more stories, tools, and life experiments like this, subscribe to the email list at thejeffturner.ca.

Until next time, I’m Jeff Turner and remember to take care of yourself, however that looks to you.

Contact me

Jeff Turner
turner.n.jeff@gmail.com
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