In the exact same boat and it is difficult, but I am starting to figure it out, my findings so far have been interesting though. I know it's challenging when you have a small comfort zone, but there are some opportunities out there to pursue. And in the way of allowing yourself to make it easier for yourself to socialize and make friends, I've tried a few things/tools that seem to help. 1. meetup.com - is helpful if you would like to try something new or have something that you already like and others may share your interest. I found a nearby board game group that I'm checking out next week. 2. I don't know if your bf has work friends he'd want to hang out with outside of work but we started doing trivia nights at a local bar with some of my bf's work friends (you don't have to be good at it, we're definitely not) it's a weekly routine we have and it not only gives you hang out time with those people, but to see a regular crowd outside of your table. Or maybe one of them has a gf they will bring and you may end up getting on. 3. Start going to a gym on your own and don't be shy to ask for help if you're not sure about a piece of equipment you want to try using. Just starting up a convo helps, even if it's short, it takes the pressure off of future interactions. Call it practice. Same goes for any shopping trips you have, ask for help finding an item, or advice on an item, or ask how your cashier is doing, tell that woman ahead of you in line her hair is on point (did this the other day and I thought this girl was going to cry, which I didn't expect, but it was good to make her day). I never, ever did used to do this, because I always thought that I was a bother if I did, (and you WILL run into a few weird looks once in a while, that's ok, not everyone wants to chat, hit or miss) but it's helpful, and sometimes you make someone's day and have a genuinely nice conversation.
4. Go for walks around your neighborhood, say hi to passersby, even a nod will do. 5. Have a small routine that takes you to certain places you like on a weekly basis. It's a gentle way to get used to being around people, getting acknowledged and eventually conversations with those who aren't really strangers anymore may develop. I know most of these aren't guarantees to immediate friendship, but as someone who is really more of an introvert, it's mainly hard to make the first step and when you feel down on yourself it's that much more difficult. I was really lucky to have one friend that I now live 1000 miles away from, and of all the people I knew over 10 years of living in the same spot (I knew her only the last year), she's the only one that was worth keeping in my life after I moved. Keep in mind, you don't have to make a ton of friends on the way, don't be afraid to cut someone out if they seem like those people who were in your life before, be genuine in your interest in the other possible "future-friend" and ask about their life and proceed to listen. (sounds cliche again, but I honestly used to not really do this either, not cause I didn't care, but because I thought I was being intrusive). Oh, and MOST importantly, you can be the one to invite them out. If you're waiting on an invitation to hang out with someone, make it yourself and initiate, it can be a movie or coffee, whatever.