Should I take the initiative to make some new friends?

Friend, the answer to your question is: Absolutely yes, but please be gentle with yourself.

Seeing your question and these tags, I suspect you might be going through a tough time, especially after a breakup, feeling like the whole world has turned gray, and even questioning if you're not good enough. At times like this, having the thought "should I make new friends?" shows that the positive, sunshine-seeking part deep inside you is trying hard to get back up. That in itself is truly remarkable!

So, regarding your question, my answer is a definite yes. Actively seeking out new friendships could be a wonderful remedy for you at this stage.

Why "Absolutely Yes"?

Think about it: after a breakup, we often fall into a vicious cycle:

Past memories play on loop in our minds.
Every place triggers painful associations.
Our social circle shrinks or becomes awkward because it overlapped so much with our ex's.
We feel abandoned by the world, unloved.

Making new friends can help break this cycle:

Helps Shift Focus, Breaks the "Mental Loop" Chatting with new people means hearing new stories, learning about different worlds, and discussing topics you might never have considered. Your mind gets occupied with fresh information, instead of replaying those sad love songs and memories late at night.
Rebuilds Your Sense of Self-Worth One of the most damaging aspects of a breakup is feeling "not good enough" or "rejected." But when you meet someone new who wants to connect with you—because of your conversation, your interests, your personality—it's like a gentle reminder: "Hey, look, you yourself are interesting and worthy of being liked." This kind of external validation, free from past baggage, is incredibly helpful for rebuilding confidence.
Expands Your World, Showing Life Has Many Facets Maybe your ex loved movies, so your weekends were always at the cinema. But new friends might take you hiking, playing board games, visiting art galleries, or to a live show. You suddenly realize how big the world is, how many fun things there are to do, and that happiness comes from many sources, not just one. Your life becomes richer and more multi-dimensional.
Builds a New Support System Old friends are wonderful; they'll support and comfort you. But new friends have a unique advantage: they don't know your ex or the history you shared. You don't have to explain "why we broke up" repeatedly, nor worry they'll accidentally mention that painful person. With them, you can simply be a new, independent version of yourself.

So... How Exactly Do You Do It? (A Gentle Guide)

I know expecting you to instantly become a "social butterfly" chatting away at parties is probably too much right now. That's okay. Let's take it slow, starting in the most comfortable way possible.

Step 1: Start from the "Heart," Not from "Purpose"

Don't treat "I need to make friends" like a KPI to hit; that's too much pressure. Shift your mindset: "I just want to go do things I'm interested in. If I happen to meet someone nice along the way, that's a bonus!"

Step 2: Make "Making Friends" a Byproduct

Rediscover Your Hobbies: What did you used to enjoy? Painting, playing guitar, working out, baking, reading? Find a related interest group or in-person class. For example, join a weekend pottery workshop or a local hiking group. In these places, people gather around a shared interest, making conversation flow more naturally.
Try Something New: Is there something you've always wanted to learn but never had the chance? A new language? Making coffee? Take a few classes. Even if you don't make a friend, you've gained a new skill – definitely not a loss.
Do Something Meaningful: Volunteer. Help out at an animal shelter or join a community clean-up project. Friendships formed while working together towards a common goal are often very genuine.
Move from Online to Offline: Platforms like local groups on Douban or activity features in apps like Keep or Joyrun often list local events. Find something that interests you – like a "weekend badminton session" or "city cycling group." Starting with a shared activity like sports is much easier than forcing small talk.

Step 3: Lower Expectations, Cut Yourself Some Slack

Don't Force an Outcome: Went to an event today and didn't talk to anyone? That's okay! You went out, you tried – that's a huge victory! Give yourself a pat on the back.
Not Everyone Needs to Be a "Best Friend": You might meet 10 people, and only one becomes an occasional chat buddy. That's completely normal. Connections depend on fate; even having an "acquaintance" is good.
Allow Yourself to Be "Socially Anxious": If you feel tired or don't want to talk, it's okay to just be quiet or leave early. Taking care of your own feelings comes first.

Some Words from the Heart

Allow yourself to take it slow. There's no timetable for getting over a breakup, and making new friends isn't a crash course. Taking one small step out the door today that you didn't take yesterday is progress.
You are interesting just as you are. Don't worry about having nothing to talk about. Talk about a movie you liked, a book you're reading, the cute cat downstairs... Authenticity is the most touching quality.
This isn't about forgetting someone; it's about better meeting yourself. The ultimate goal of making new friends isn't to fill an old void with new people. It's about opening new windows through interacting with different individuals, allowing you to see a broader world and discover a richer, more complete version of yourself.

Wishing you new landscapes and new, equally fascinating souls on this fresh journey. You've got this!