Hello. I (24M) recently quit dating apps for good; they were a huge drain on my mental health and yielded nothing, with my only matches being with asexual people (which is fine, and I've made friends that way, it's just not what I'm looking for). The problem is, I'm not entirely certain where to go from here.

To make it clear, I'm not desperate. I'm young, I have time, and if I never find someone so be it, though obviously that isn't preferable. Ideally, if be able to find someone I can cultivate a growing friendship and kinship with, with whom romantic feelings could blossom from, though reality is hardly ever so ideal. I'm pretty slow to get sexual (though I do love physical touch), and value honesty and genuinity above anything else.

I've received advice before, though most of it seems dubious at best, including from dating coaches. Obviously, if I see someone attractive, I should go say hi and whatnot (my confidence had never been a worry), but I've been told I should go to places such as malls, coffee shops, and libraries for the sole purpose of hitting on seemingly any moderately attractive women that passes by (this was advise from a coach), which seems completely immoral, dehumanizing, and downright creep behavior.

Barring acting like a complete creep, I've been told to go to, and have gone to, meetup events such as coffee/tea socials and activities such as board game metups or just nature talks, but those are primarily male dominated, and the women that do go are never single. My hobbies are also male dominated (MTG, D&D, general gaming, etc.) or solo/things i do with a friend i trust to go with (hiking, disc golf, billiards, ect.). I don't drink or party, so bars and clubs just aren't my scene.

I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I like to take things slow when I am talking to someone, but I'd prefer to avoid the friendzone like I've been placed in oh so many times. Is there any advice or recommendations you have for me? I'm also curious the difference in perspective between men and women in this regard, so any clarification would be appreciated.

P.S. Please no dating coaches. I'm also aware my perspective is limited and I may be wrong about things.