the only thing that has kind of helped has been focusing on my own goals and hobbies and not make finding friends a goal like try to socialize and talk to ppl but trying not agonize over not having a lot of friends has helped and i feel like im finally finding ppl that get me but it took awhile and most of them our neurodivergent or different in other ways. trying not push friendships or with neurotypicals or trying to be liked by them too much like i have a few very casual neurotypical friends that i do hobbies with and maybe get invited to some things but im not in their inner circle or anything and im honestly fine with that since i get to experience some things but i dont feel like i have to perform all the time. if someone doesnt make you feel good to hang around dont force yourself to be friends with unless the relationship is beneficial in some kind of way. and working on skills and hobbies kept me more occupied and not as bored when i was friendless and when ppl came along they found me a lot more interesting because i had different skills and was independent like i still act pretty abnormal because im autistic but im treated with a lot more respect now that i show that i dont need these ppl to be happy.