I kinda feel the same. Hard to make new friends if you don't go out often and you're a young professional or just not social.

I have my interests like kdramas and fanfics and fun comics and detective novels. And while there are plenty who like the same stuff, I'd like a deeper sense of connection. It's a challenge finding people who stay in your life long enough to earn trust, and would willingly stay even after.

A friend of mine said that people only stay in your life for as long as you give them what they need. Masochistic or sadistic or just human? Idk.

My old self knew that to make friends, you have to be sincerely interested and care for people. That made me a good friend. But I had lived long enough to realize those friends you make out of that are not necessarily good friends to you.

So when I realized that and reciprocated based on how I feel they treated me, the friendship drifted apart. Because I realized I wanted more. To feel safe and myself too in a friendship.

Be honest. Always. With others and yourself.

Be aware. By this I mean listen and watch people around you. Read the room. Don't one up people. Don't say or do things that make others uncomfortable.

Be reliable.

Treat everyone with respect. That word is... Complicated. I wish we had two words. There is the basic respect we should all give each other. Human to human. Do that all the time. Then there is the respect that's earned. At work, that can be the respect of a person with high skills. Or a person who's always got time to listen and offer good advice. That you don't owe everyone and no one owes it to you. Lean, understand, and practice that difference and don't confuse the two.

maybe its a good thing you cant hold a conversation about politics and such things. Nothing good comes out of those anyway.
Those things you mentioned you do like are widely popular today. Shouldnt be too hard to find others you share that in common with and strike up a conversation. Friendships are only one good convo away from forming.

I no longer care to make friends. It's too much work and I don't have the energy anymore.

Develop a genuine interest in other people.
People are fascinating in so many ways.

Ask questions and find out about people like where are they from, what do they like to do, their hobbies, their work, where else they have lived, what was it like to live where they are from etc. Friendship is caring about others asking questions and having common interests to talk about.

Say yes to things. Get along. Put up with stupid stuff.. beats being alone. But don't hang with losers life's too short..