The most important thing is finding solace from within imo. I think there will always be times when we must carry ourselves, so it is good to be comfortable doing so. Many friendships break because shared burdens become too much on top of personal burdens. Relying on each other is a good thing, but being able to support yourself when needed will make rare friendships last longer.

It always helps tremendously to put in an intentional effort for networking - through social clubs, internet boards, community events, etc. Of course, this gets harder the further you are from “normal.” Moving to a different region can potentially act as a multiplier, depending on where you are coming from and where you are going.

There are always groups of oddballs out there. These are the outsiders of society. They tend not to look for others, but to also be welcoming of anyone who will welcome them. They pop up among restaurant industry workers, performers, DnD nerds, clubbers and ravers, goths and satanists, crusties, and probably many other groups. They can be a bit prickly to strangers, but if you’re looking to not be judged for being yourself, then they can be the best of friends. So you might consider trying to network with these types of groups in particular, if you can find one with a shared interest.

You could also take a different path and commit yourself to a passion project, local or remote. Like building a community garden, or programming something. The people you meet will help, but the passion itself can also help to relieve the feeling of loneliness.