Is there any time of year more exciting than New Year's Eve? Celebration and enchantment are in the air, along with hopes and ambitions for the coming year.

If you're looking for inspiration, this list of New Year's resolutions is simple and straightforward. It's time to focus on your wellness; a better way of living might be only a couple of changes away. Now, get ready for the ball drop.

1. Get Organized

A couple of devices on a desk.

Kick off your New Year the right way by organizing everything in your home, life, and brain. When we say everything, we mean everything.

Start with what you see—a messy countertop, an out-of-control email inbox, or a disorganized kitchen drawer, for example. Take some time to clear out all of those old screenshots from your camera roll or try a new folder system to move files off of your desktop.

A clean slate is the perfect way to step into the New Year undistracted and ready for anything.

2. Simplify Your Life

A homemade calendar and some coffee.

Once you've organized everything in your world, you're in an excellent position to begin taking stock of what's all there.

This may include ridding yourself of extraneous personal possessions, of course, but there are many other New Year's goals in this category that have nothing to do with the junk in your closet.

Time-wasting habits, toxic relationships, and hobbies or commitments that no longer thrill you are all great places to start, and there are tons of habit-tracking apps that you can use to keep yourself on track.

You can even try using screen time or parental control preferences on your smartphone to monitor and limit your own use of social media, video streaming, and app categories.

A little breathing room can do a person good.

3. Set One Major Life Goal

A goal review sheet.

Sometimes, even the best of us find ourselves getting nowhere fast in life. If you've been sitting on your tush for far too long, it's time for a change. What are some of your major life goals for the New Year?

We're not talking small potatoes here. Are you married? Do you want a family? Would you like to own a home one day? Look far ahead when choosing your daily drive for the year. This goal should be powerful enough to motivate you daily.

4. Budget Money and Earn More

A person holding lots of money.

Your major life goal may very well include a big career goal—finding that perfect job or finally earning a well-deserved promotion.

For those who would like to take control of their finances, budgeting apps and software can all be extraordinarily helpful. When you pledge to document every dollar spent, you're much less likely to throw money down the well needlessly.

Moving up in life isn't easy. Wake up early, put your nose to the grindstone, and try to go above and beyond whenever you can. Taking pride in one's work and professional life can be a deeply satisfying accomplishment, and the start of a new year is a great catalyst for rededicating yourself to your craft.

5. Pledge to Cook More

A person cooking vegetables in a pan.

Hippocrates's famous advice rings just as true now as it did in 400 BC: "Let food be thy medicine."

Meal planning, weekly meal prep, and even just committing to a couple more homemade meals per week will all get the ball rolling in the right direction. If you're not sure where to start, there's a healthy eating app for that.

6. Start Exercising

A person lifting a set of weights.

While you're at it, you might as well set some goals for the new year that focus on the other side of the same coin: your daily activity levels. Getting yourself moving more is one of the best decisions that you can make this New Year.

You can join a gym or simply make a plan to take a short walk around the block every morning or evening. You can also sign up for one of many popular fitness apps that will help guide you through slightly more advanced workout routines.

Wherever you start, building the habit is the most important key to achieving a new activity goal.

7. Drink More Water

A glass of water on a white cyc.

You probably already know how important drinking water is to your wellness and energy levels. Fortunately, this is one New Year's resolution that is beyond easy to accomplish.

Buy a new portable water bottle, keep a fresh supply of the good stuff next to you at all times, and use water-tracking apps to ensure that you meet your recommended daily intake. Whether you choose sparkling, tap, or the fanciest bottle in the store, give your body the hydration it craves and let your smartphone keep track.

Bottoms up.

8. Get Involved With Your Community

A couple of people volunteering.

There's power and motivation in numbers. Instead of cloistering yourself in your room like a nun this year, try to reconnect with the world around you to make a positive difference.

Volunteer, participate in social events like marathons, get involved with your local music scene, or take a class to rub elbows with your neighbors and, maybe, make new friends.

An app like Meetup can connect you to people who share your interests—you'll find things like hiking groups, reading circles, and even just clubs comprised of people who like to party will be found in abundance, especially if you live in a big city.

Download: Meetup for Android | iOS

9. Start a Journaling or Meditation Practice

A woman meditating at home.

This is one of the best New Year's resolutions for every person on the planet, no matter how busy you are.

Your daily wellness ritual can include anything that you like and have time for—ten minutes of yoga, three positive affirmations, a nightly account of your thoughts or dreams, or even just a simple meditation session when you're free.

Call it whatever you want—mindfulness, purposefulness, intention-setting, or gratitude. A daily dose of peace and quiet clears the mind, and there are so many spiritual growth apps that can guide you to enlightenment and spiritual freedom.

10. Commit to a Greener Lifestyle

A scenic view of a mountain and some trees.

There are a number of ways to do your part for the sake of the environment—smart appliances and fixtures, low-impact modes of travel, and, of course, apps for going vegan.

Reducing your carbon footprint may also entail going zero-waste, boycotting brands that negatively impact the environment, and other green tech habits, such as recycling your old gear.

11. See Something New

A person enjoying nature.

If you've been saving to travel, going somewhere new is one surefire way to pull yourself out of an end-of-year slump. It doesn't need to be a huge, blowout vacation, either. Searching Airbnb for a room to rent for a weekend in a new city could be more than enough to cure what ails you.

If you're short on time or money, you don't necessarily need to book a ticket to a foreign destination to see something exciting, or even to the next state over. Reinvigorating your lust for life might be as simple as trying a new restaurant, going to a museum, or even setting out on a nature excursion in totally uncharted territory.

12. Make Self-Care a Priority

A coxy place to practice self-care.

Last, but far from least, on this list is self-care—how you can take better care of yourself throughout the new year.

Self-care refers to any of a number of nourishing, protective, and restorative activities and habits, all in support of a more fulfilling lifestyle.

There are many ways to show yourself love every single day of the coming year, and we've covered plenty of them above. But self-care is also about what helps you, specifically. Anything that improves your mental health, your self-esteem, your emotional well-being, or your physical health qualifies as self-care.

It's up to you to find the best routines and activities for you.

New Year's Resolutions: Your Best Life Yet Is Waiting for You

Invest in yourself this new year—with self-love comes more capacity to love others. New Year's resolutions are annual excuses to turn ourselves around for the better.

As for mid-year resolutions: you can cross that bridge when you come to it. For now, keep your eyes open as you enter the new year and, with new goals in mind, live it to the fullest possible extent.