Sitting on the balcony and noticed neighbors with Christmas lights were laughing and having a party.
It took me a minute to piece it together; I forgot about Christmas parties. I used to really like them and forgot about them completely.
It's been a long and brutal 3 years.
You need to go to a Christmas party, then.
Either start one with your friends, or start one with your neighbors. Generally, arrange one if you aren't having one.
Save up some money and buy some catering with a bit of alcohol. Invite all your neighbors and call it a neighborhood get-together. Then just make it your mission to talk to people, get to know them, be friendly & affable.
Certainly this is easier with your friends, but also invite non-friends to your friend party as a +1. Like a cool co-worker, or a nice neighbor. Same thing: "don't worry about bringing anything or beer, I got you covered. It's Christmas!". Be generous with your time, money, and temperament.
This is one of those things we, on the Dissident movement, have to do a lot more of. Creating the culture we want to live in. Localism will be the only effective way of undermining Leftism, and it's good for you anyway.