Ok! This will be a wee experiment today. I am going to ask random people..(From Facebook or from here) to be my friend because we share the same interests, get them to come here and say hello in my comments box!
If I get no one I will feel sad and will need a cuddle!! 
*Weep* I have no ideas how to do a sad face which actually is probably quite appropriate for this blog!!
Now..what are my interests?.. Let’s say:
Cats
Dogs (Hmm should I say animals in general?)
Zombies
Reading
Psychology
Food
Yeah, that’s pretty much it! .. Ok, I shall go for these interests for now.
So now I need to think up what to actually say so that my new friends don’t think I’m mad (not in a good way!)
Ok.. I am off to find new friends!! Wish me luck.. you can check back and see if anyone actually does befriend me!!
*Wow…you know I am actually nervous. I can see why it can be difficult to make friends IRL.. :/ Humans are basically programmed to avoid death and embarrassment but I think we need to fight off our cavemen (and women) instincts when it comes to finding new people in our lives. I know it can be scary but just think of how rewarding it is when you get to know someone who truly gets you and loves you despite it all. (My friends have a lot to put up with!! ) … I think the Internet makes it easier to start off friendships too..
Why not just make some new online friends today.. Just pretend you were forced to because of some blog!!
ok.. I’m procrastinating!!…I’m doing this… after lunch!! xx
Wishing you luck! I was going to tell you how to make a sad face, but why in the world would I want to do that!!!! I “like” cats and dogs but don’t have any. I like food. Psychology fascinates me. I love to read, I have no tolerance for zombies so they better just stay away from me. Happy friend making!!!!
Ok Chatter. You can be my best friend! *I said that all creepy!!’
Hmm.. come to think of it I’m not sure I would like zombies for real but I do like zombie films..hmm I might scrap that off my list. If I actually ever did see a zombie, I know I would cry and be eaten.
*Did my sad face work?*
xx
Ha! Creepy internet relationships! AKA “blogging”.
I would cry, as well, if you were eaten by a zombie. 
And yes your sad face worked, which makes me sad!
I need to work out how to do the creepy face now!
xx
OH! If you manage that, try to figure out how to do a smirky face and then let me know!!! I would love having a smirky face!
oooooooooooh me too!!! :/
I’m very interested to see how this works for you as I’ve wondered about doing something similar myself. There are plenty of ‘dating’ websites for meeting people but, there don’t appear to be many for genuinely meeting new friends…
One interest you forgot is music. Another would have to be blogging, too!
Sometimes, it’s easy to think ‘too hard’ about what your interests are and it then becomes easy to ignore some of the obvious choices.
Oh Music!!! Yes, that would be an obvious choice.. weird I forgot it actually. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who didn’t like music though, so maybe leaving it out will narrow my search for friends down.
It’s funny because I never thought I would find genuine friends online.. I thought there needed to be some sort of physical connection somehow. I was wrong. I have a few good friends I chat to online. I guess it is a different type of relationship than a real life one but important none the less.
xx
Good luck!! We wud b good friends. We have a lot of the same interests
x
Totally Bourbon! I know it!
Hmm.. how do I do winking face.. lets see
xx
Well done <3 :p
See now I’m showing off!
Hi there, thank you for liking my post about my pooch! Let me say, I just love your page. I too share the same interests as you. I studied psychology in school as an undergrad. Of course, I love dogs, but also love reading and FOOOOOD! Ha. I’m interested to see how this experiment works out. So far, the folks on wordpress seem very warm and engaging. I’m off to make breakfast now, but will check in later to see how this goes.
Have a great day!
WHOOT!!
– My first friend! I was scared no one would reply. Awesome that we share a few interests. Fantastic you studied psychology too.. wonder if there is a co-relation between people who did that and those who like dogs and reading?! We should do a research project!! haha
Anyway, you have made my day Natural! Even If you are the only friend I made today on here just know it made me grin seeing your reply!
Yay!! Happiness factor up 100 points!!
xx
I know, my friends who are psych majors love reading as well. I did “exposure therapy” on myself in order to rescue my dog. I was terrified but forced myself to be around small dogs until I became comfortable. I just want to add that I just read your comment on my page, so, see I read your page, liked the post and starting following you before even seeing your message to me. You didn’t even have to ask, because I was going to do it on my own. Hehehe. Ok, my turkey bacon is burning! Talk with you later!
Wow! Ok.. We are psychic friends!
I think that’s amazing that you managed to do some exposure therapy on yourself like that. It takes a lot of patience and determination but I can see it was worth it!!
Enjoy your Turkey bacon.. hope it’s not too burnt! :/
x
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment, of course I will be your friend. I’m the world’s only blogging cat, Ludi, Pleased to meet you. I really admire your blog. I know the secret to the happiness of us feline folk, you can read here http://thekittytimes.wordpress.com/how-to-make-your-cat-happy/
I look forward to reading your blog tomorrow. Bye Lisa.
Meow – Ludi
Ludi! Purr Purr Purr. Happy to meet you! You can never have enough cat friends I feel, especially those who blog!
I am writing this as my cat Oscar is cuddling into me with his face in a sunbeam having just had his lunch and he is snoring. Cats sure do seem to know the secret of happiness! I will be sure to follow your writing Ludi!
Meows and Purrs to you my new feline friend! xxLisa
The zoo never turns away a stranger. Welcome, Lisa.
Thank you for helping to make my day!!
xx
Haha! Great idea for a blog. Hello, and thanks for popping over to Fabulous Flo’s blog. Will pop back to see how things are going in your quests!
Thanks for joining in Flo! Great to see you here!
Ok.. I am feeling a bit calmer now that at least a few people have come over to be my pal!
xx
Hello! I got your comment and stopped by to make sure you’re not crazy! Lol what a cool idea for a blog. I’m going to start reading from the beginning and try it myself!
Fantastic!! I feel more confident about this project when people say they will join in a bit!!
I might be slightly crazy but not in a wearing a faded wedding dress rocking back and forth in a chair way!
Thanks so much for stopping by! xxxx
I think you have a really neat idea here. Not only does it force you to come out of your shell, but it also forces others to do the same.
Good luck on your new friend quest!
Thank you Dashment. You are right..and I’m glad I forced you here!
xx
Thank you!
Making yourself happy is what it’s all about and you’ve come to the right place! Blogville has so much to offer, and I generally come away with a laugh or two from the blogs I read. And, yes, we have several ‘like’ interests although I tend to draw the line with zombies.
Can’t wait to read more!
Sage’s Mom
Hahahahaha! Yeah.. I’m not sure that many people actually like zombies! I think I panicked when trying to think of the things I like (Because I like so many things) I remembered I really like zombie films.. Just you wait..I will find me someone who likes zombies yet!!
xx
I honestly never knew anything about blogging before this and had read the blogs that friends led me to via Facebook. I have had so much fun writing my blogs but also reading other people’s them too. It’s fantastic just to read about people’s lives and interests…Tis certainly making me happy in itself! Blogging about blogging making me happy. This may be an idea for another ramble!
Love and light and no zombies!
Saw your comment over on Dogdaz and thought I’d pop over to say hello!
Wonderful!!
Hello Margarita, nice to meet you!
Thank you for popping over for a wee hello!
xx
Well, I’m highly allergic to cats, but love my pups like my own children, food is great, reading is awesome and psychology is very very interesting!
.. and zombies??
xx
It’s sad you are allergic to cats. I know so many people who are though. I read something about it being the cat saliva and not the fur that most people are allergic too. So there is a wee fact for you (which may not be actually true btw) for being my new interpal!
I hear you about your pups being like your children btw! People think I am weird as when they show me a baby I am a bit ‘Meh’ but show me a puppy and I am a Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee mess!
Thanks for being here!
Babies not so much, but puppies do bring on a squee of joy for me!
Oh aye! Puppies are totally Squeee worthy!!
x
Thanks for the comment Lisa. Hope reading about my cats continues to make you happy
Thank you very much! I can never get enough cat happiness.
xx
Hi – perhaps you have found enough new friends now? – I love dogs and have left the rat race to spend time working with rescue dogs. I have two dogs and work with Border Collie Trust – a rescue centre that rescues and rehomes collies and collie crosses. I love my family and my garden, writing, both as a blogger and for magazines, good books, good food and long walks with the dogs. I would welcome a new friend or friends
You can never have enough friends..erm hats gloves or shoes! (Actually, I think only the first one is true!)
xx
Great to have you as a new pal and great to hear a bit about what you do.
I have a Lab/Collie cross called Puck. She is 15 and still crazy! I had to give her to my partners Brother to look after when my partner broke their ankle as Puck really likes standing in front of people and then stopping stock still! So not good when you are on crutches. My partners brother has a huge garden and is pretty lonely and puck loves it there as she gets a load of attention (allowed in the bed and given sausages!) So, sad as it made me I thought it would be better for puck if she stayed there. At least I can visit her!
I think it is wonderful that you have given up the rat race to work to rehome collies and collie crosses. I love all dogs but they are pretty special.
Thanks for the friendship.
Hello there, thank you for the comment – I think the title and idea for your blog is awesome. Best of luck to you facing your fears and anxieties head-on. This is an extremely brave blog
Will check bk soon to see how your happiness is changing your life for the better!
Thanks very much Annabella! I really appreciate the support!
xx
Well of course! I am delighted to make new friends. Please tell me more about yourself when you have time. LOVE the monkey photo!!! So glad to have someone who loves to laugh! Regards, your new friend
PS thanks for stopping by my blog!!
Hey Observetal!
… (Hmm.. my new friend is going to think I’m weird! )
Well, I live by the sea with my partner and Cat. I am quite a chatty person but I feel like I am a quiet person on the inside. I have no idea if that makes any sense but I just realised it yesterday! lol
I really do love to laugh… it is one of my favourite things too. I think I love a lot of things that a lot of other people love, like film, music, reading and nice food… My favourite book is called ‘Geek love’ and it is about ‘Circus freaks’ ..it is shocking but absolutely beautiful.
I would love to knwo more about you my new friend!
Love and light xxLisa
Hello hello, thanks for dropping by my blog so I figured I should at least return the favor. It’s the polite thing to do, you know?
Very Polite indeed! Thank you for your visit! It was spiffing!
xx
So did I already say how much I love your blog? I love animals, (I have a dog and had cats growing up. I also have a newt and a bird and a couple of tadpoles if you talk about my kids pets as well
love the outdoors, (Which I hear you are trying to get outside more. I know you will love it!), and LOVE reading and food… my kids love zombies… does that count? I also love creating with my hands, and I read your blog every day because by forcing yourself happy you help me start my day off with a smile. 
Thanks for that!
Animals are awesome aren’t they? (Rhetorical question there!
It made me happy to read about your menagerie. My dream would be to live on a huge bit of land and be surrounded by nature.
I actually love the outdoors too. (I kinna should seeing I am half Roma!) ..I can’t wait to feel more comfortable out there. Like I say, the countryside makes me feel calm but cities and streets make me freak out. I would like to be calm in all situations and places!
Your kids loving zombies TOTALLY counts!
Thank you again for making me smile!
Yay! And I forgot to mention. Being a mother and a teacher, you have to be into psychology… right?
Oh totally!! All mothers and teachers have to be counsellors too!!
Hi Lisa, thanks for reading my blog on Nicaragua. You have a most interesting blog and I admire your honesty. Good luck with your project!
Thank you very much!
xx
Love and light.
Hello new friend! I think you and I would get along splendidly. I’m a cat-lovin’, book-reading, food-eating, zombie enthusiast, and your blog makes me happy.
YAS!! Lets go eat some brains and read books about cats ….or something.
Your post made ME happy my new friend!
xx
You have a new friend here, Lisa!
And she says Hello!
Hello! You were put in my spam folder for some reason!
Great to meet you Archana!
I was already following your blog because it always makes me smile
A tank you!!
Puppies: Not cute or so super cute? Super cute?! Ok, we can be friends.
Super douper pooper shnooper cute!!
x
Indeed!
Brilliant idea for a blog, well done!
I am interested in reading more about this, and am now following you to read the rest of this cool experiment.
How did you find the blogs to leave a comment on? was it random picking or did you search for keywords?
cheers,
TP
I did the keyword thing..like dogs, cats, zombies and sent people with the same interests a wee note telling them what I was doing and to come by and say hello and be my friend!
x
I don’t use my blog to write about things I like so no chance of finding me via keywords, I think (sadly), but I totally share the interests
Just sayin’ (hint hint)
Awww.. I must have followed you (That makes me sound creepy!!) before this then.. I have no idea how this all works yet!!
Anyway! Yay.. We can be interpals!! <3
FATE! *creepy mode on*
Interpals <3
Looks like you’re doing wonderfully on the “finding new friends” bit. I noticed your comment on one of the blogs I followed and popped over to see if you were, in fact, insane or just generally a bit nuts like the rest of us. Nuts it is! I’m a fan of all animals, except those with more than four legs. Zombies – not so much so but my hubby would approve. Food – love it – mostly when someone else makes it, though. Looking forward to following you and picking up on some “happy making” advice.
LMAO! at “Nuts it is” I’ll take it!!
yeah.. I love being made food too but it’s generally me who does all the cooking in this house.. Meh.
I love all animals too. I’m not so much freaked out by the ones with more than 4 legs I just don’t really want to hang out with them. There was a massive spider running about my living room last night and my cat was trying to catch it and was totally rubbish! lol .. I documentaries of insects and stuff though.
I am getting the sense that people either love or hate zombies..there is no in between!
Thank you for coming over to be my pal!
Well I looove kitties and puppies (grown up ones too), music, reading, blogging and food. So I like a lot of what you like
Maybe we could be friends too 
Abso-bloomin-lutely. Which means yes in Cockney musical speak!
xx
Consider me a new friend! I followed the link you left on my blog and was touched, amused and inspired by your project.
Fantastic!! Great to have you as a new friend!
Also, thank you.
xx
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Your blog looks like an interesting project and I wish you all the best with it. What type of books do you enjoy reading? I am enamored by literature and reading in general…..there’s nothing better than a good book for when I need some escapism!
Oooh.. I love a lot of different genres. At the moment I have about 5 books on the go which are non fiction. I enjoy books about social psychology and I am trying to read some books since I began this project that might relate to it. I am reading ‘The age of absurdity-Why modern life makes it hard to be happy’, I am trying to revisit the book ‘overcoming panic’ (Which is a CBT book). I found to difficult to put into practice when I tried to read it last but I am all about the ‘forcing’ atm!
A couple of people mentioned there was a book called ‘The happiness project’ which sounded a bit like what I was doing, so I downloaded that on my Kindle and started to read that too. Also reading ‘The psychology of the bathroom’ which is completely irrelevant but interesting.
<3
I read a couple of interesting books recently ‘Room’ and ‘warm bodies’. The first was messed up but beautifully inspiring and the second about a zombie who becomes ‘human’ again.. I would read into it and talk about all the metaphors etc but In just thought it was fun!!
I agree.. there is nothing better when you find a book that you are really enjoying and you can’t wait to get back to that land.
Thank you for your good wishes my new book worm friend!
Third time trying and we have finally able to be your friend
Yay!! You know.. a couple of people have said they have had trouble leaving a comment!! Thank you for your determination.. I am worth it!!
LMAO
Great to see you here new friend!!
xx
Howllo, I am pleased that you visited because other than the zombies all of our interests ARE similar. I look forward to browsing your posts.
*sigh* no one loves the poor zombies.
xx
I am glad you are now my friend and we can go to the dog,cat, reading, psychology, food shop together!!
Hi Lisa,
It looks like the ‘making new friends’ exercise is working out really well.
I share a lot of your interests – the dog part (obviously); I love to cook for my family and friends, so food features pretty high on my interests; I like a good zombie flick and I have a psychology degree… but I’m not so keen on cats I’m afraid. They just cr*p in my garden and then the dogs eat it and throw it up in my house. Ugh!
I really like the idea of seeking happiness by trying something new each day. I hope it works out for you and you continue to find inspiration and share your happy-making schemes on your blog.
Good luck!
Ruth.
haha Ruth!
I knew you were out there. I hope you are enjoying ‘The walking dead’! My partner is enjoying the story line but thinks its ‘too tense’! :/
You know my dog used to do the same with the cat poop eating!! She is 15 and my cat is 8. I NEVER thought I would be a cat person. My whole family pretty much dislike cats. I found Oscar in a park near my house and he is my soul cat. I think because he was brought up with a dog and a dog person he sort of thinks he is a dog. He sits (when told) and is very affectionate. Not trying to sell him but about 4 people have bought cats after looking after him!!
YES! Finally a fellow zombie movie buff!!
I have one more part to finish before I get my Bsc Psych(hons) and I am doing a counselling degree too.. I think I’m afraid to finish it actually.. Doing those degrees you would think I would know why!!
Thank you for your reply, it made my day Ruth!
xx
Hola Lisa,
Seeing your comment on my puppy ♥ post did make me think it was spam. The opening sentence caught me off guard.
Looks like your experiment, or should I say challenge, is unfolding really well. Kudos!
greetings from Spain
Hola!
xx
Oh dear! I think maybe a lot of people thought it was Spam! .. I guess when you more or less start an email saying ‘This is not spam..’ this is what happens!
I think I write faster than my brain can carry my.
Gracias por sus amables palabras
Hi, Lisa! Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m happy to be your Blog Friend!
Great!
Hi. Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day–I was traveling and haven’t had a chance to reply before now. I wanted to share a quote a good friend passed on to me recently: “If you want to be happy, notice you are.” It speaks to me and thought maybe it would resonate with you. So often, we spend all our energy on what makes us unhappy. It’s nice to see someone choosing to be happy instead. Best to you. I may have to do a post on being happy now.
That is a beautiful quote and so very true. I feel that when I am around people who talk about nothing but negative things I pick up on the energy and feel down. I don’t think people should be fake or need to be happy all the time but I do think we need to focus more on the happy things in our lives. I look forward to reading your blog!
Best wishes
Lisa xx
Wowzers! Look at all of the new friends that you made!! My goodness. Well, your experiment was very successful!
I know! It was awesome! I never expected that so many people would do it! Especially as my letter sounded so much like Spam!!
You were the first one to be my friend so thank you for making me relieved!! hehe
I hope you are well. xx
I’ve never tried forcing myself to be happy. Sometimes I think the best thing is to work through the being unhappy. Quiet contentment works well for me. Looks like it’s not a case of finding friends, as there are plenty responding. More of a case of what to do with them all, and making choices. Well done, it’s a very cool experiment. I like all the things you’ve mentioned, except for the zombies. Which don’t exist in my world. (grin)
Raaaaaaaaaahhh They’re coming to get you Barbara!!! (Zombie geek quote!)
xx
Yeah..You are right about the making choices part of being friends with people. In real life this is something actually that is ongoing at the moment. I think online its nice just to have a sense of like minded people around you somehow.
I suffered really severe depression in my 20′s and at the time I craved ‘Quite contentment’ .. I need to sort out a few things and hopefully this will happen for me in the space I am in at the moment.
Obviously this ‘journey’ is overblown but it seems to be working. I think working through your unhappiness is essential to finding a good grounding. I am not the kind of person who jumps for joy at every opportunity which is why I am finding this more interesting. I used to almost want to feel miserable because that meant I was a tortured musician… Life is too short for feeling shit every day. I did that for years.. Also I need to work through my fears and agoraphobia..
Quiet contentment sounds good.. and like happiness to me actually.
Thanks for writing.. you gave me verbal diarrhoea ..in a good way!!
no prob. I find it makes a difference having the online ‘supporters’ too. It’s having a flow-on effect in the rest of my life. I also suffered severe depression, in my twenties. It is gone now. It is hard work going through the one-day-at-a-time survival. Still avoid people sometimes, but I don’t call it agoraphobia any more. I know when I want to be around people, and when I want to be alone. It’s nice getting to the stage of wanting to see people just for the sake of seeing them. (smile).
That sounds like a good place to be!!
I know what you mean about the day at a time thing.
Love xxLisa
Thank you for the follow and the blog post love! I hope I can help you in your quest for happiness. You have made another friend.
Yay! Thank you, my new friend!
It honestly helps when I know someone is there just wishing me love and luck and supporting me.
Know you have helped me. I feel very honoured and lucky!
Love and light. xxxxLisa
Hi! Nice to meet you. You saw my blog so know i live in japan. I do live on a big piece of land by the sea but I don’t have any animals or zombies…just lots of wild boar that turn up only at night and wreck havoc in our vegetable patch! I like your blog and the menu at top that has things like “facebook” and stuff. i wish I knew how to do all that. Hey I can’t even make a happy face (online) but I’m smiling as I write to you. I love to read and cook and bake bread. Today it was bagels. Just hop on over here for a nice chat and a warm bagel!! With love from Mama Leah
Mama Leah.. it’s about 1am.. but I so want a warm bagel right now.
You know something. I am so rubbish as technology.. but I started reading ‘The road less travelled’ (I am in the middle of about a million self help/meditation/psychology books at the moment) and the guy writing said he always thought he was rubbish at mechanics. His neighbours car broke down and he took a deep breath had a look and saw what the problem was and fixed it.
I think we are primed to think we can’t do certain things… but actually I looked up how to do the whole link to face book on youtube.. and I was walked through it.
I will teach you a smile!
You type : (a colon) then a capital D but together..and it should work out.. Try it and tell me how it goes for you!
Thank you for making me feel warm.
xxLisa
Good luck on your quest!! Am always looking for new friends!! Suffering with a medical condition I am unable to get out of the house the majority of the time so it means that most of my ‘socialising’ and making new friends is usually online.
Like you I also love dogs, have one myself and love her to bits
. And I love reading and also really interested in psychology – even managed to complete an undergraduate degree in it!!
Great post
Well done in completing your undergraduate degree! I am always up for meeting new online friends too, so nice to meet you! The internet is an amazing social tool for people who can’t get out the house. I’m not sure what I would have done through all my years of agoraphobia were it not for my online friends being there for me.
You sound wonderful. As a rule I like people who like dogs!
xx Lisa
Thank you! It was hard work at University but worth it – just wished I could use it in a really positive way, but with my legs giving way the majority of the time it would be very difficult!!
Sorry to hear you have had troubles with anxiety and agoraphobia, have had problems with anxiety myself, the doctors always thought the dizziness I experience was due to anxiety before I was diagnosed with the neurological disorders, but still anxiety has been a problem for me and know how debilitating it can be, your blog is very positive and it seems that you are definitely making the right steps to try and overcome anxiety and agoraphobia and will definitely be rooting for you. I volunteer for a mental health organisation once a week, and have seen the effects it can have.
You sound wonderful too
Take Care
*Beam*
I would love to volunteer. I was actually talking about this today. When I feel better it’s something I really want to do. Good on you.
Take care and thanks again. xxLisa
This is such a great experiment! If anything bring people together, it’s zombies. Best of luck.
I know!! I would much rather have zombie buddies than be alone during the zombie apocalypse!!
*I did a smile face there because I’m not sure how to do a terrified one!!*
xxLisa
Good Blog!!
Thank you!
xx