have you tried looking for a co-working space? i've known freelancers who pooled together for a shared studio space for similar reasons.

I’ve tried it out, it’s not the same but it helps a bit. I appreciate the suggestion!

Forcing yourself to get your social interaction requirements met at work isn't ideal.

It is like trying to get your protein requirements met from potatoes. Yes, you can if you force yourself and try really hard. However, it is much more efficient and pain-free to get it from a protein shake.

In this context, it means using the time you save with working from home and using it to meet people interested in the things you care about.

I don’t see what’s so bad about it. Half of my waking hours are spent working, a lot of the other half are spent eating, working out, and relaxing. Am I supposed to spend an hour a day hanging out with people after work? Not only does that sound exhausting, it doesn’t seem like enough if that’s my main social interaction. At work, there is a shared goal and a community that I can be a part of, and it’s there for me for most of my waking hours during the week.

Find hobbies other than working. You can use the weekend to do that.

The reason socializing at work sucks is because it is not a very natural environment to make friends. Alliances, yes but friends are harder. Even if you make genuine friends with someone there, if you're working with them directly, their career will take precedence over you. Most people are skeptical of their coworkers and it is a constant power dynamic to prove one's competence and status.

Much easier to find true friends outside of work.

> I’m introverted, so the forced social interaction at work was perfect for me

That's not healthy and it shouldn't be the basis for company policies in general.