Letter to the editor: Use this time for good

For many of us, the normal routines of work, life, and play are sidelined. Which means more free time or new situations (kids home all day, for example).

The natural reaction is to resent all this. It’s a total pain, brings about new inconveniences, and drives stress levels up.

How about directing focus on what’s been building on the to-do list?

I’m not referring to the small duties like cleaning the stove or shaking out rugs. I’m talking about the big plans. The real projects that you shrug off because there’s no time after work and the summer weekends are better spent on something else. This is the moment.

Sure, some of these might require some supplies or having access to stores. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start the planning process. It doesn’t mean preparations can’t be made. Get the ball rolling and get past the first hurdle.

Say you’ve been meaning to tame those out-of-control flower beds or build a better-looking yard. Now you can go outside, look things over, conjure up ideas, and make the plan. Maybe even call friends or family who know a thing or two about what you have in mind.

Maybe when out on an evening walk, you bring along a bag and pick up the trash that’s now exposed by the melting snow. Or take 15 minutes out of the week to clean your street’s storm drains of grit and debris that will otherwise be washed away into the river.

Whatever the action and result, use your time for something worth doing. Otherwise it goes wasted.

Chris Gass, education and outreach coordinator for the Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District