Michelle Flanagan

        With fall sports winding down, and a little while before winter sports get into full swing, you may find yourself with an abundance of time on your hands and no clue what do with it.

        Instead of sitting around the house downloading new apps and checking Twitter, get out there and have some adventures! For those of you without a winter sport, there’s tons of ways to stay active, even among the snow and cold.

        One way to combat this is by signing up for classes at local gyms such as the YMCA. Take advantage of your off-season and get outside of your comfort zone by participating in things that you wouldn't normally have the chance to do. The Y offers classes such as cycling, yoga, cross-training, kickboxing, and pilates. Many classes are free to members, but you can still sign up without a membership--the class will just cost a little more. Go to findlayymca.org for more information.

        Planet Fitness also recently opened up by Hobby Lobby on Tiffin Avenue, so for those looking for a new gym, this is a fresh experience. Planet Fitness has several membership options, ranging from monthly to annually. Starting healthy habits now means you'll be able to stick to them throughout college and later in life.

        For those of you with tight pockets who don't want to pay money to keep your muscles toned, popular websites such as Pinterest and YouTube have great and creative at-home workout ideas so you're not stuck doing crunches and running on the treadmill everyday.

        If sweating up a storm when there's snow outside doesn't sound like your cup of tea, there's tons of other things to keep you busy!

        Volunteer some of your time at Gliding Stars; for you ice skaters out there, they're always looking for volunteers. And for the artsy readers, in January they'll be getting ready for the annual ice show, and volunteers to help paint sets are going to be in high demand!

        Gliding Stars meets every Sunday from 4:10 p.m.-5:10 p.m. at The Cube in Findlay. If you're wondering how to get involved, or just want more information on what they do, you can talk to peers such as Paige Sudlow, Courtney Van Horn, or Sawyer Junge.

        Help out the older people in your neighborhood. Rake some of your neighbors’ leaves during the fall and shovel the driveway during the winter. They'll be very appreciative that they don't have to do the manual labor, and they might even tell you some of their interesting life stories when you're finished.

        Go through your closet and donate your old clothes! With the opening of Plato's Closet in Findlay, you could even make a bit of money if the store buys them. If not, donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, and you'll know you're helping someone out. You'll definitely appreciate the extra closet space when you're dragging out all the winter sweaters!

        Finally make some of those Pinterest recipes and crafts. Everyone has a board full of pins they haven’t done, with lines like, “I'll be so happy I pinned this later!” Later is here! Take advantage of your free time and whip up one of those mouth-watering cookie recipes, or try your hand at making that artsy craft you've always thought was so awesome.

        Spend some time with your family. Ask your grandparents to tell you stories about when they grew up, or just help your mom around the house. They'll enjoy seeing you for longer than the time it takes to grab 10 bucks and your keys before heading out the door.

        Write a letter. Take some pictures. Use a phone to actually call and talk to someone. But most of all, enjoy your life. Whether you have a sports-free winter, or one filled with hours of practice and games, take a breath, look around, and enjoy where you're at. Try not to let school stress you out too much (easier said than done, right?), take a moment to be proud of your accomplishments, and remind yourself that everything is going to work out. Freshmen, you've got years ahead of you, but don't blast through this one, because they go fast. Seniors, your time is almost up. Don't wish the little bit you have away, because this is all going to be gone sooner than you think.

        Whatever you do, get a little outside your comfort zone, take pride in it, and love the moment.