Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton is a Psychologist, Author and Playwright. Her work has been published by Elsevier Science and she is a leading voice on Consumer related women's issues.
I am beginning to suspect that my mother was right all along. "Too much of a good thing is bad for the soul." I speak as one who has overindulged on the ‘webbervessence' of internet surfing to the point of virtual obesity and is now suffering the inevitable social respite that comes from partying all night on-line rather than on the dance floor. I have tried to cut down on many occasions, but the temptation to log-on is just too strong. In fact, once you're hooked, it's pretty much a case of "pack it in altogether or put up with the consequences", as one former webaholic advised me recently.
A Growing Community of Webaholics
For many, the web has bought a kind of closeted freedom that both confines your senses and liberates you at the same time. The growing community of webaholics, to which I belong, know that there is a closet agoraphobic lurking in us all that's just waiting to ‘get out' if you'll excuse the pun! Scared yet?
Armed and Ready to Shop
I have to agree that it does give a woman a sense of power to be able to access an entire shopping mall from the comfort of her armchair. To any of you considering giving it a go, I suggest that you start your experience the right way, armed with credit card, glass of wine and bag of M & M's. Once you're logged on you can Google yourself freely to the nearest virtual mall. If, on the other hand, you want to dive straight into a store or two without the search, I can highly recommend Shopsafe (www.shopsafe.com) or the Giant AOL Mall (http://shopping.aol.com/) which is the virtual home to many a familiar High Street name and has an abundance of goodie-filled mini web boutiques.
Virgin Web Users
Most people find that, not unlike their first sexual experience, a virgin web-users first taste of e-commerce can be a rather hurried and frantic experience; involving lots of uneasy hand movements and far too much time spent fingering the wrong buttons! Take your time and don't rush yourself. Remember to shop around too. Prices can vary on the web just as much as in the high street. Wine Cellar ( www.winecellar.co.uk) will check for the lowest price on any bottle of wine you require from anywhere in the world and will give you instant links to suppliers.
An Unholy Indulgence
And so, finally, you've taken the leap and bought your first item on line. The time has come to raise your glass and congratulate yourself. Take a deep breath of spent satisfaction and relish in the simple, uncluttered, distinctly unpopulated bliss of it all. Now take a sip of wine and snuggle back in your armchair, content in the knowledge that although mother may be right; there may inevitably be a price to pay for so much ‘unholy' indulgence; here and now it feels so right, so orgasmically good in fact, it would almost be a sin NOT to do it!
The Sadness of Self-Denial
And so, to my mother and to all those people who call us webbies sad, I say this: Wouldn't it be truly sad if we denied ourselves something so emotionally worthwhile, only to ultimately discover that it's okay after all. That the pleasure/pain principle is merely a philosophy dreamed up by the men who want to control our purse-strings and that God is, after all, a woman.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- MODERNIZE SHOPPING = INTERNET SHOPPING
- The Largest Shopping Mall in the World
- Discount Online Home Shopping
- Online Shopping Virtuosos Unearth Hotel Deals
- Live Internet Radio - the Future of Radio
- Internet Radio – A Free Format For The Music Fans
- Internet Marketing India
- While World Wide Web shopping at comprises Not perfect




Plus Size Jewelry Earrings Realizing a Marked Fashion Command
By: Mike Fannel | 16/11/2009One of the deepest origins of thwarting for plus sized women is when it fares time to buy their jewelry. Peculiarly when it fares to the earrings. Most oftentimes they will see a figure that they rightfully fall in love with exclusively to sample the earrings on and watch out...
Snowflake Jewelry Bracelets Lovely and Influencing
By: Mike Fannel | 16/11/2009A bracelet is a piece of jewelry which is laced on the wrist. Bracelets are manufactured either from leather, metal, cloth, plastic, or hemp and sometimes even from wood or shells. Snowflake Jewelry Bracelets are prepared from the very nicest of materials and craftsmanship. The lineage of the term bracelet is...
Get CZ and Sterling Silver Bar Station Bracelet
By: Mark Arthur | 15/11/2009CZ Bracelets: Your Womans Bands of Wonder Bracelets, the ornamental bands that are surrounded around the wrist or arm, are often affiliated with Diana, the Warrior Roman Goddess, Queen of Heavens, Mother of Animals, Lunar Virgin, and an Amazonian. They get in several designs and are brought in of different materials....
Make a Bold Statement With 8.5 Inch Onyx Beaded Bracelet Smooth and Chunky Black Onyx Bracelet
By: Mark Arthur | 15/11/2009Black Onyx Jewelry: For Men of Hope, Enigma, and Mundanity Be a straight man who would balance the negating passionatenesses and preconceptions of your friends and fellows. Be a man of pattern who laurels agreements that are legitimate, righteous, and honorable. Be a man of challenging counts whose discussions, conversations, and...
Get Beautiful Rope Edge Bangles Sterling Silver
By: Kirk Davids | 15/11/2009The feeling of Bangles sterling silver Names bangles sterling silver is besides celebrated by admit faux jewelry, synthetic jewelry, and junk jewels. It can be very convenient with the most exuberant stones to convey the thoughtfulness of every person in the room. The stones will be less rich or forged but...
Get a Beautiful Large Textured Heart Valentine Earrings
By: Mike Fannel | 15/11/2009Whenever the social function originates that you must buy a present for a woman if altogether else gives out then you can incessantly bank on a buy of some exquisite valentine earring. Valentine's Day is one of those fantastic occasions that you must search down a present for your beloved...
4 Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping For a Hair Removal Cream
By: Jacob K Smith | 15/11/2009If you have found yourself in need of a hair removal cream, and are going out shopping for one, you may find a checklist of things to keep in mind on your shopping venture handy. After all, haven't we heard of cases about people who purchase formulations in the name...
Iron Cross Jewelry - What Does it Mean?
By: Kristen Klass | 15/11/2009Iron cross jewelry and especially large cross rings are popular among people around the globe though they use it mostly unaware of what it symbolizes. Iron cross has a long history to itself which the younger generation sometimes fails to understand. In Ancient Times Iron cross was used hundreds of years ago...
Quick and Easy Halloween Porch Displays
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 29/10/2008 | HolidaysHere are some very quick and easy ideas to make your porch look extra special this Halloween.
Life Begins at Forty
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 28/10/2008 | Women's IssuesLife really does begin at Forty. Find out why those comments really are true and why you should be celebrating your coming of age.
Top Movies for Halloween
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 27/10/2008 | HolidaysA round up of the all-time top movies to watch this Halloween, with selections for all the family.
Halloween Table Decorations Made Easy
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 23/10/2008 | HolidaysThese decorations take minimal time to create and will have maximum impact on your Halloween party this year.
Wine Guide: Pairing Food With Wine
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 23/10/2008 | Wines & SpiritsDiscover the simple rules that make choosing the right wine to go with your food easy every time.
Banking on the Web
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 21/10/2008 | BankingThese days, there’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t take full charge of their finances. Whether you choose to wiggle your mouse, or manually scour your statements. In today’s shifting world towards total consumer control, we have no excuse for not taking our finances firmly by the reigns and guiding them steadily towards our individual future prosperity.
The Rambling Confessions of a Female Webaholic
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 20/10/2008 | Women's IssuesFor many, the web has bought a kind of closeted freedom that both confines your senses and liberates you at the same time. This article explores the addictive qualities of online shopping from a female perspective.
A Wireless Enhanced Marriage - Part Two
By: Dr Sarah-Jayne Gratton | 20/10/2008 | CommunicationThe second part of an article that raises the question: "Has technology taken the romance out of modern marriage, or has it positively enhanced it?”