5 Reasons Why January Rules — We Promise!

UPDATE: January may be winding down, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the month — here's our cheat sheet to what to do right now. This story was originally published on December 31, 2012.

The holidays may have just ended, but we're already feeling the dreaded seasonal slump — maybe it's the natural low after weeks of sugar highs, or maybe it's the cold, hard realization that winter is finally here. Either way, January has never really been our favorite month — fortunately, we're about to change all that.

We've got the coolest to-do list for the month ahead, and you're going to want to pencil in every last one of our picks — from buzzy restos to your new favorite nightspots. (And even a little Ryan Gosling, for good measure.) So, what are you waiting for? Fire up your Gcal and start planning!