Has any of this ever happened to you?
If the answer is yes, then you must be a short girl like me. I’m only 4’10” and trust me, I’ve heard all the sayings…
“God only lets things grow until they’re perfect.”
“Good things come in small packages.”
But do I really believe it? Not so much. Years ago I hated being short. My pants would never fit, I could never reach anything on the top shelf, I’d get my ID checked everywhere because they thought I was 12 and yes, I wouldn’t be tall enough to ride certain rides at amusement parks. Being short caused so much anxiety in my life but I hid it from people because it was easier. I’d get every short joke in the book thrown at me, I’d have friends think it was “cute” to pick on me because I am so little and I’d even have nicknames like Shortie, Little Jenn or Squirt.
Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my height. If you’re short like me, you can too! Being short can be challenging. It can also be really rewarding. Here are my top 5 tips for managing being little.
Tip # 1 – Have a stool close by. This one is kind of obvious, but it has to be said. In my house, I have one in the most common places I’d use it – my kitchen and my upstairs bathroom. And the stools stay there. Why? Because then I can do whatever I need to myself and not rely on someone else. Yes, it’s nice to have someone else around, but it’s also nice to be independent.
Tip # 2 – Be strategic. In your home, try to put things within arm’s reach away. Don’t put shelves too high if you don’t have to. If you commute to work, wear comfortable shoes and don’t worry about the high heels. They aren’t good for your alignment and back muscles anyway. And don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. You never know when you’re going to have to ask for help.
Tip # 3 – Don’t be defensive, be receptive. When you meet people for the first time, you can tell if the height comment is coming or not. And if it does, don’t be defensive. Be receptive to the fact that people are acknowledging you. I’ve been in situations where people literally don’t even see me and that can be much worse.
Tip # 4 – Check out the kid’s department. No, I’m not kidding. You may be able to save money on clothes and shoes just because you’re smaller. Take advantage of that! Athletic shoes for example in the women’s department can range in price from $55 to over $100. But in the kid’s department, the same brand and style can be priced at less than $50. Even if you save $10, it adds up over time.
Tip # 5 – Be proud of YOU! It can be tough at first but remember those sayings? They were created for a reason. Yes we may be small, but we have heart and that can mean way more than your size. My favorite saying is “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog” and it’s totally true! So stand tall and be proud of you’re perfect petiteness.
Do you think these tips can help you live with being short? Let me know in the comments!