It’s that time of year again, when you sit around with family and friends and discuss your hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. New Year’s resolutions are kind of like a drunk uncle. You know you shouldn’t take him too seriously, but you can’t help but laugh and play along when he comes around once a year.

It’s become popular for people to make fun of New Year’s resolutions (“they never work!”) in an almost gleeful way (“I cant wait until March when these fake people get out of my gym!”). But some people truly intend to stick to them and, in the end, they’re the ones that get to be overjoyed with a sense of accomplishment.

Here at BatesMeron, we are not the types of people who just speak to hear our own voices—well from time to time we might. We are doers. So in the spirt of the holidays, I wanted to share our resolutions, not only to show off how awesome we are and all the good we plan on doing, but also to keep ourselves accountable since we’re putting it out there on the Interwebs. And as we all know, once it’s out there you cant take it back.

Katie Baird, Designer & Rollerskating Badass

OH MAN, I HAVE SO MANY GOALS!

1. This year, I want to spend more time making art, painting, drawing or doing calligraphy at least once a week
2. I also want to letterpress print something at least once a month
3. I want to get better at skateboarding, learn a flip on roller skates, get better at inverts and learn more grinds on my ‘blades
4. And, I want to get serious about strength training so I can kick butt with my roller derby team, Windy City Rollers, at tournaments in 2017

Becka Bates, Fearless & Mindful Leader

I’m going to commit to meditating five times per week, minimum!

Josh Ferguson, Copywriter with a Cause

In 2017, my big goal is to pick one or two causes I feel passionately about and figure out the best way to support them, hopefully through a combination of donations and volunteer/activist work.

Tarah Kraft, Swift-Footed Project Manager

I plan to run a half marathon because I never have, but I always have wanted to, and if I put it on the Internet, I’m obligated to do it….right?

Melissa Leonard, Creative Director & Lover of Cardio

I also would like to run a half marathon. For the past few years I’ve gone through spurts when I run a lot and feel so much better afterwards. So my thought is that if I’m training, I will have a reason to run everyday.

Andrew Lewis, Faithful Office Inspirer

Love more, speak less, understand more and judge less! 

Carlie Miller, Project Manager & Hobbyist

My New Year’s resolution is to spend one hour every day doing something for myself, whether that’s playing my ukulele, reading something I enjoy, trying out a new hobby, listening to a favorite podcast or anything else that may bring me joy. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we need to spend time on ourselves, so I think making a point to spend a minimum amount of time every day doing this will really help.

Todd Pierce, Designer & Family Man

For the year of 2017, I would like to become closer with my family. I have a brother and a nephew that I don’t get to see that often and would really like to be around more for them. Also, both of my parents are retired so I would like to spend more time with them, too.

Anna Woodward, Copywriter & World Traveller

I’ve long since given up the super vague “get in shape” or “be better with money” type of resolutions. I have to pick a specific, achievable task or experience or I’ll never feel like I really accomplished anything. In 2017, I want to take an international trip—Iceland, ideally—and send a letter or card to an out-of-town friend each month, because everyone loves getting mail!

If you see one of us on the streets, don’t hesitate to ask us about our resolutions and make sure to give us a kick in the a** if we haven’t made any progress yet.

Happy Holidays!