The average American female height is 5 foot 5 inches tall… I measure up to an even 4 foot 10 inches on a good day. I have been short my whole life, so I’ve got 20 years of building up a love/hate relationship with my height. And while it can be super easy to focus on the negatives, there are a lot of things that
I love about being short that I don’t take time to appreciate!
1. Airplanes
Flying is generally an uncomfortable situation for all involved, but when you’re short it’s a little bit less uncomfortable. I’ve never had to worry about needing extra legroom, and when others are still trapped in their seats after the plane lands, I am free to stand up and stretch. Also, flight attendants, and even random strangers, always take pity on me and help me lift my carry on into the overhead!
2. Counter Climbing
Others may see this as a negative, but it’s something that I’ve always loved. Climbing to reach those upper cabinets honestly just makes me feel like Spider-Man. I mean, who else has permission to climb on the kitchen counters as a 20-year-old adult??
3. Hide and Seek
I was the master of hide and seek as a child, and I’m sure I could still dominate now. Kitchen cabinet? Easy. Dryer? Dangerous, but can do. Laundry basket? Piece of cake.
4. Front of Photos
Being short gives you an immediate excuse to always be seen in group photos. Simply yell out, “short people to the front!” and you’ll have a one-way ticket to the front of the pack.
5. Height Differences
When you’re as short as I am, the majority of the population is going to be taller than you, which makes for some cute, and definitely funny, height differences. It also means that your significant other will basically always be taller than you, no matter their gender. Men, no need to feel insecure about putting your height in your dating profile, because you’re always tall to me!
6. Heels
If I’m ever feeling especially short, the quickest solution is to throw on a pair of heels. Heels come in so many styles: wedges, pumps, boots, stilettos, the options are endless! So whether you want to dress up or look casual, a pair of heels can give you those extra couple inches to help you take on the world.
7. Eternal Youth
While this one can definitely be annoying, I know that I will appreciate it one day! Bring short generally just gets equated with being young, which means that “cute” and “adorable” are words I hear a lot, for better or worse. But I know that 20 years from now, being mistaken for someone younger will be a positive!