In About a Boy, the 2002 comedy where Hugh Grant almost didn’t get the girl, his character (a self-centered, independently wealthy thirtysomething named Will) realized a truth far beyond the usual “love conquers all” platitude. He discovered the need for a community of people in his life.

Sure, Will was pretty self sufficient with enough hi-tech gadgets and disposal romances to keep him entertained—all within the comfy confines of his London home. But once he let one person in his life, namely a gawky teenager who needed a father figure, and more importantly, a good friend, well, Will’s life was forever transformed.

Suddenly, he had a reason to live beyond his own needs and wants, and people he could count on when the going got tough in his own life. And it wasn’t simply found once he got married. But when you’re not in the tight quarters of a college dorm where meeting new people is practically second nature, how does a sense of community evolve naturally?

While it won’t happen without a little effort, it may be easier than you imagined.

Get With Knit

Thirty-four-year-old Amy Bickel found an unexpected connection with women she’s never actually met before through their shared love of knitting.

“It’s been a constant struggle to find people I relate to in the suburbs of West Des Moines. If you lived there, you’d know exactly what I am talking about. It’s Yuppie-ville,” Bickel said. “So I joined an online community of knitters and love it at Ravelry.com).

“I’ve never met these women, but we share stories, trade yarn, sell yarn, participate in swaps for holidays and communicate online daily,” Bickel continued. “One woman just sent me a bunch of DVDs (on loan) to watch, because I mentioned it was a TV series I hadn’t seen. I am sooo nOT the online community type, but this group appeals to me with the whole knitting commonality.”

Bickel also recently joined a book club with 12 other women with “totally different views of reading and opinions on what we read.”

Since Bickel is comfortable in her own company, she says that interacting with others who share a love of knitting and reading prevent her from going “feral.”

“I find that I become much more self focused when I spend a lot of solitary time and being around other people reminds me that the world is bigger than I am,” she said.

I Get a Kick Out of You

While 26-year-old Jenna Green of Apple Valley, Minn., still enjoys attending a weekly church service each week, she noticed that activities outside of the Sunday morning services weren’t really meeting her social needs.

So the normally shy and reserved bookworm, who normally prefers the company of a engaging novel or a great TV series ventured out of her proverbial comfort zone and joined a local soccer league.

“I signed up as a ‘free agent’ meaning I didn’t have a team, because I didn’t know a single soul who played soccer anymore. Then after several weeks I got called and asked to play with a group of complete strangers that needed a sub, and now I’ve joined the team and have met several great people who all have a great time together,” Green said. “If you have the courage for it, entering into a pre-existing group, like a soccer team, is one of the easiest ways to meet new people because everyone else is already happy and comfortable.”

Lending a Helping Hand

In addition to bonding with fellow singles in her church community, 33-year-old Katrina Glaim of Plymouth, Minn., has found sanctuary in volunteering through local humanitarian organizations.

“Nothing is more rewarding than joining together with people for the common purpose of helping the less fortunate,” Glaim said. “Whether it’s raking leaves for a neighbor or building houses through Habitat for Humanity, I can do something fun and meaningful in this single season of my life.”

In his desire to be relational, 29-year-old David Fisher of Nashville, Tenn., volunteers at a local homeless shelter on a bi-weekly basis, an experience he says he probably “gains more from than he’s actually giving.”

“In a society where individuality and working like a mad dog is constantly emphasized, doing something like this helps put life—and our need for each other—into perspective,” Fisher said. “We can’t be afraid to let people into our lives, especially those who need our help. And amazingly once you start doing this, it becomes your favorite part of the week—at least that’s what happened for me.”

Single this Valentine’s Day? Get your friends together and find ways to spend the day in a meaningful way. Here are 10 Ways to Give Back this Valentine’s Day.