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POINTS Of VIEW

A space to share your feedback. Over to you.

Your cover on Nov 20, featuring the nattiest dressers in town with their rakish and debonair looks, trumpeted the arrival of men on the fashion arena (Meet Dubai's Most Stylish Men).
These men seem to have an amazing fashion sense and are no longer content with striking a feather in their caps and calling it macaroni. These self-proclaimed arbiters of fashion and refinement, with their funky fashion portals, give tips on improvising men's wardrobes to create a 'new you' - which is no mean feat, considering how limited modern men's clothing is compared to women's fashion.
It is well accepted that being well-dressed makes a person confident. Once confident, you can get adventurous with your dressing and carry it with flair, while making a statement or two about your individual identity as well.
Fashion is here today and gone tomorrow but if you build up a style, you may even have a following! As rightly pointed out in your article, why follow when you can create fashion.
Fashion is undeniably a wearable art form. It can assist you in dressing up for any occasion or simply help you wear your attitude. A well-groomed man always commands respect and his attire speaks volumes of his character and impeccable taste.
If this is not enough to perk up men's interest in dressing well, there are other fringe benefits too. For what would women like more than being accompanied by a suave and sophisticated gentleman?

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 EMBRACE THE CHANGE
I am from the old school of thought, as I often resist change. But, sometimes, life puts you in such a situation where change is inevitable and the only way to make sense out of it is to take the plunge... but that's easier said than done.
When I first came to Dubai, I felt lost. I couldn't adjust to the new city, the new role of a daughter-in-law and a mother to a two-month-old baby boy. I was in the 'disruption' stage and lived that way for about two years. I began suffering from depression. All this happened because I couldn't accept the sudden changes that had occurred in my life. It was after reading articles much like the one you featured last week (Be empowered for change, Nov 20), and a lot of help from my family and friends, that I realised we can't change what's going on around us until we start changing what's going on within us. I learnt how to trust myself and see the positive in any situation. I am now in the 'exploration' stage and it's a much better place. I have a long way to go to settle into the 'rebuilding' stage of my life. This will require a lot of mental and physical work because I now need to focus all my energy into not fighting the old, but building the new. Rightly is it said that, sometimes, the things we can't change are the things that end up changing us.
Tasneem, Dubai
Change is always difficult. Some people sail through it; others have severe anxiety. I do believe that it has a lot to do with the stage we're at in our lives. As we age, we get set in our ways. It is hard to move out of our comfort zones and we assure ourselves it is for the best. It was good to learn from the article (Be empowered for change, Nov 20) that this is the 'denial' stage.
As a young mother, I have spent every waking minute with my son for the past two years. And as much as I loved it, I experienced some emptiness too, as I did not have any time for myself. When I started taking driving lessons, even two hours seemed like a long time to be away from home. But the results were rewarding, and I've now started working part-time too.
When we start doing things we love and spending time on improving ourselves, it is therapy for the mind and soul. We need to let go of routines that shackle us, and embrace change - best done in moderation so we don't overwhelm ourselves with stress.
Aparna Krishnan, by email
HOW TO BE A SUPER MUM
Believe it or not, it doesn't cost the moon to ensure your kid is happy (The Smart Mum's Guide to Saving Time, Money and Stress, Nov 20). Talking to other mums helped me devise a few parenting hacks too: getting my kids to help out with daily chores and rewarding them with pocket money, the use of which is monitored; buying a cherished toy once their money jars are full, which teaches them the value of money, asking them to help cook a meal, which makes them enjoy the dish all the more, and ensure their time is well-spent and productive around the house. School and local community fancy dress outfits as well as some sourced from local thrift stores are stored in a box under their beds for hours of rainy day 'dress up' fun. Old bed sheets, boxes and cushions tied up with old pillow covers can be used to make forts and minimise the mess. Long drives are taken care of with empty pencil boxes turned into Lego containers for hours of fun. As you can see, you only need a little creativity and lots of love. 
Alvina S, by email