One thing that can help people do this is to realize that not everyone will actually become a friend. I've done similar things - only to later realize that, nah

One thing that can help people do this is to realize that not everyone will actually become a friend. I've done similar things - only to later realize that, nah, we don't really click. And then we drift apart, and never see each other again. And that's fine! But the friends I have made and kept have been worth it.