I really like reading this article and I think it's a good start to get rid of a loner lifestyle.
There's however one caveat... making close friends is quite a culture dependent topic in my opinion. Making close friends requires differerent approaches depending on the culture you're living in. Strategies that work in San Francisco may not work in Miami, Buenos Aires or Trondheim.
In some cultures and sub-cultures "opening up" is closely tied to the consumption of inappropriate levels of alcohol, while in others you can go without and still build a good connection to other people.
There's however one caveat... making close friends is quite a culture dependent topic in my opinion. Making close friends requires differerent approaches depending on the culture you're living in. Strategies that work in San Francisco may not work in Miami, Buenos Aires or Trondheim.