Ask

Avoid the apps like the plague. Go out to events where you can talk to people. Join hobby groups or go to hobby classes. Prioritize meeting people over finding potential partners.

Lots of people out there don’t want to date and if you strike out at a meetup or group then people are gonna pick up that vibe and avoid you. If you really connect with someone then either you or they will pick up on it and things will progress naturally.

That’s my method at least. If you want something more direct and with the end goal of dating, there are often singles groups/events that are more explicitly focused on that. Although at the risk of sounding judgemental, that sounds like the kinda thing where everyone is gonna be reeking of desperation and the people there will be less likely to live healthy independent lives.