NADIA,

What I do is to find places and activities where I meet people where I can connect on some similar level.  Start a casual conversation and go from there.  If there is a mutual interest (not necessarily romantic) then make an arrangement to meet again for further activity and/or conversation.  No agenda.  Nothing more than just further conversation to see where this lead, whether casual friendship or more.  It’s the journey (or relating, connecting, conversation), not the destination.

Mark