This is all very true. As an introvert with a non-photographic memory for faces, I don't always find it easy. But it's definitely easier and more rewarding when you just look to connect and help people, trying to "pay in" to the karma pool.

Also, it takes work to create and maintain relationships.

(I created a little web-based calculator to help you estimate your "Maximum Social Network": https://www.mimiran.com/the-maximum-social-network/ It's a little surprising how small a real network is, at least in the first degree.)