The best advice I can give you: create maximum opportunity to regularly meet the same people, in a casual setting.
By that I mean join sports clubs, hobbies, church, reading clubs, volunteering, anything really.
Pick as many as you can handle.
Make sure you: - get to know a lot of people, in a positive context - be interested in them, get to know them. Let them in your life, get them to know you too. - meet them regularly - make sure it's a casual setting so nothing's forced.
Any person you get to know well (man or woman) is a gateway to someone else ("have you met my friend"). A large social network is key.
I read that you go on walks - get a dog too. This is awesome for starting conversation.