Hi there, lovely lovers!

Our New Yorker of the Week today is Paige. She’s almost 40, lives around Prospect Park, and is looking for friendship and love. To contact her, email [email protected].

Want to be featured next? Submit here if you yearn for more pals and/or romance. Come on, it’s Valentine’s week!

As always, you can submit your events for free here and your paid ads here.

Now, onto the good stuff:

How would someone who loves you describe you?

A witty, playful, authentic, intuitive, observant, embodied, adventure-seeking, curious, book-eating, bike-riding giggle-monster. I'm both spicy and tender.

What sorts of things do you want to do with your friends?

Mostly play outside and have picnics. There are also some fun things to do indoors.

Outside: Walks, lying in the park, bike rides, wild swims, beach hangs (with and without surf-boards). I’m flirting with cross-country skiing and ice skating cuz winter.

Indoors: Cooking together, co-reading, going dancing (classes and free-form dance floors), saunas, live performances (theater, art, music, etc.), readings and the cinema.

What's something that people might not guess about you?

I have an MA in comparative politics.

Are you looking for love?

Looking for love in the affirmative! I use she/her pronouns and historically date cis-men. I like playful, quirky, kind, authentic, curious, tender, self-aware, body/sex positive humans who value relationships. In past romantic encounters, I have found that our specific interests are less important than mutually possessing ample passion for life, making each other laugh and having somewhat compatible risk-tolerance (that is medium-high, leaning high). That said, I do secretly hope to meet someone who loves the city and the country equally and can embrace the joys and pleasures of both. Also, dinner parties are a love language.

Anything else that the Joy List community can help you with?

I run an outdoor yoga studio in Prospect Park in the warmer months. I am currently looking for yoga and movement teachers for the 2026 season. Also always on the hunt for fellow picnic enthusiasts, dinner party invitations and surfing and swimming buddies (in the warmer months) of all genders.

An Intimate Philosophy Salon in NYC

Thinking Through is a philosophy salon where people come together to reflect on life’s most relatable themes, such as friendship, love, city life, and home. Inspired by Socratic dialogue, the discussions are guided by prompts from Dr. Ece Tekbulut, a political philosopher who earned her PhD from Columbia University. The next session, Thinking Through Love, is on February 21.

Phone Freedom Circles: Get Your Attention Back

Struggling with smartphone use? Good news: change is possible and it feels seriously amazing. Phone Freedom is a 7-week, small-group program for adults who want a healthier relationship with their phones. Through deep work and shared accountability, participants develop effective and personalized strategies to decrease screen time and reclaim their minds. Virtual and hybrid options. $350 total; $275 early bird reg by 2/15. Individual coaching also available.

Most social events waste your time

Never see your friends? Us too. At Closer, we facilitate real conversations from the jump. Whether it's an intimate dinner, cocktail hour, or cultural experience, our events help capable New Yorkers meet efficiently. Keep your roster strong by meeting people as intentional as you are and making plans you'll actually keep. Join 500+ members who get it. 20% off with code JOYLIST.

Gatherings

Double check details before you go, and contact the organizers with questions! The Joy List does not run these events.

Tuesday, February 10: Climate Cuties Valentines Mixer

Are you a hot person on a warming planet looking to mingle with your fellow climate cuties? Put down the apps, come to our Valentines mixer and make sparks fly ❤️‍🔥 If you care about our Planet Earth, you are already a beautiful person. There is still hope for sustainable love in this world - find yours with us!

free. 6-8 PM. 214 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237. Info here.

Tuesday, February 10: MANifest: A Live Gay Dating Game

Join us for MANifest, a live dating game inspired by the classic TV dating shows of the 1960s and 1970s, reimagined for gay men and modern dating culture.On February 10th from 8:00–10:00 PM, we’re taking over C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn for a night of playful matchmaking, audience participation, and old-school romance with a queer twist. We have two eligible bachelors, Noah and Micah, ready to find a connection. Audience members can purchase a ticket and opt in to be a contestant. After buying your ticket, you’ll receive a link to a short Google form where you can throw your hat into the ring. From there, we’ll select contestants based on compatibility.

$13.39 + 7:30 + C'mon Everybody 325 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA. Info here.

Tuesday. February 10: Hostology: hosting the perfect dinner party

A conversation on the art and science of hosting the perfect dinner party. ​We'll exchange tips and stories over wine and cheese. You'll leave with inspiration for your next (or first) dinner party, and maybe even a co-host! Aspiring hosts welcome.

$0 6-8:30pm. Fabrik DUMBO at 20 Jay St. Info here.

Wednesday, February 11: Word Play Social: For the Love of the Game

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love letters, triple word scores, and the joy of a good game. Join us for our February Word-Off, a friendly night of word games, puzzles, and low-stakes linguistic mischief. Think Bananagrams, Boggle, Scrabble, crosswords...and anything else you’re game for.​​Word Play Social is where connecting letters into words becomes the spark for connecting with each other. No pressure, no expertise required...just curiosity, a sense of play, and a willingness to let your guard down faster than you can say “triple word score.”

Free, 6:30-9PM, Fabrik DUMBO, 20 Jay St Suite 218, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Info here.

Thursday, Februrary 12: Love Letter Writing Workshop

​Join us for a night of love letter writing and crafting just in time for Valentine's day! Savannah James will be facilitating a love letter writing workshop that includes art historical examples of love letter writing, crafting ideas, materials dedicated to writing a letter to your special someone. Inspired by artists in love. <3 Ticket price accounts for secured spot and materials.

$20. 7-9 PM. 162 Noble St. Info here.

Thursday, February 12: Critical Thinking Club

Watch a friendly debate between two everyday New Yorkers on the theme: Is Online Dating Helping or Hurting Our Culture? The discussion will be moderated by a professional critical thinker who will pause the debate when a logical fallacy occurs, explain the fallacy, and invite the speaker to restate their idea more clearly. Then everyone gets a chance to practice in small groups. ​If you want to argue better, and be better understood, join us!

$10. 6:30 - 8PM. 12-16 Vestry St in Tribeca. Info here.

Friday, February 13: Sweet (and Savory) Connection: An Evening of Touch, Taste, and Attunement

Celebrate Valentine's Day with an intimate and nourishing evening designed for couples to rejuvenate and reconnect. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a delicious warm beverage, then guided through heart-opening relational movement and touch practices that invite ease, attunement, and care. Interwoven into the experience will be a curated collection of sweet and salty treats, exploring relationships between taste, touch, scent, and shared pleasure. The environment will be supportive and clearly guided, adaptable to your comfort level and deeply satisfying.

$40+, 8-10pm. 115 Wooster St. (advanced tickets required). Info here.

Friday. February 13: Candlelight Ritual

An intimate, guided candle-making experience rooted in scent, intention, and connection. Explore fragrance, blend with purpose, and pour a candle that reflects what you’re calling in this season.This experience is welcoming whether you come solo, with a partner, or with friends. No candle-making experience is required.

$76. 7-9 PM. Moka & Co Cafe: 725 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Info here.

Saturday, February 14: Valentine's Day Wine Flights & Astrology Readings

A 20 minute celestial sipping session and astrology reading, leading you through the Big 3 of your personal cosmos, with an extra focus on Venus, the planet of love, in honor of Valentine's Day! In collaboration with Sun Moon Rising wines in our adorable, feline-centric cafe. Only available on 2/14 at Flower Cat as part of our Valentine's Day programming. <3

$44. 6:30-10PM. 162 Noble St. Info here.

Be your own (or my) Valentine this week

As you all know, I’ve been a slut for spas (and working out) recently. Check out my favorite things…. and help me get referrals credits, too!

• Score your first class free at Barrys, a very sweatyy mix of cardio and weight lifting. I know 80 of you have signed up… and only 7 have gone. Get movin!

• Respond ‘I want to cold plunge’ if you want your first class free at Williamsburg Othership

• Use this link for 25% off your first time at Bathhouse

• Buy me some flowers and say ‘thank you!’ for The Joy List by Venmo-ing me @ jillian_richardson

That's it for this edition. Sending hugs.

Stay cozy,

Jillian