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