Welcome to this forum Lonliwon and your very smart wife who knew deep down it was time to make an exit and a change...... congratulations to you both.
My wife and I left some decades ago so we know something about making new friends.
This is a big problem for many that leave without an alternative social non witness life already set up. One day you are 'loved' by hundreds the next day you are ignored by those same hundreds.
Allow me to share one way to resolve this issue. As a JW you were accepted because you attended meetings regularly, had a lot in common with the friends...met weekly, shared a point of few, went out in the D to D service etc. And of course helped out with responsibilities within the congregation.
You are already trained to enter the world of being a volunteer.
Real friendships happen organically but you have to have a place where these very important relationships can be nourished.
The good news is that you have many choices to pick from.
In the non JW world volunteering is the preferred way to go. You are there because you want to render some of your experience and expertise to make this world just a little bit better. Or maybe just to be arround people you can respect.
So here's how you get out of the lonely life style. You check out all of the volunteer organizations in your area and the ones that you find most interesting you contact by phone or in person.
Neighborhoods, small towns and even large Cities........ depend on volunteers. The door is usually wide open.
But, and this is the interesting thing, only the best people give up their time and skills to volunteer. Volunteer groups meet regularly so you get to know their names and have pleasant conversations before and after the meeting or task. You work on projects together.
Google your town or city for volunteers. You will find a hundred different organizations from a free Clinic, the Humane Society, Hospice and other medical services, Sports groups of all sizes, lectures and discussion groups . We have a non profit group that run the local Drive in, the only one left within 200 miles.
You do the same thing you did as a JW. You find a group of people who set aside their time freely. People you can agree with, who meet regularly (the key to getting to know someone) and who are always pleased to see you and willing to exchange a pleasant word or two. Among this group will be some very special people who will become your friends.
