According to disabled-world.com, the average American height for all Americans 20+, is 5 feet 9 1/2 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women. At the current height of 5 feet and 9 inches and 3/4 an inch (I like to be very specific) I am above (barely, but still) the height of the average American man. Having grown almost an inch last year, I hope that this is my final height, not because I don't totally embrace how tall I am, but because the struggles I have being a tall young, girl in America are very much real. The following list is certainly not limited to these, but are the most common struggles an above average height girl might face.

1. These are pants, not capris.

While trying to shop for a pair of pants, I find that I have to settle for the jeans that show a good 3-4 inches of my ankles. Having worked in retail many years, I once had a customer asked me wear she could find my style of jeans in Capri-form. Grow another 6 inches, and these will be the only style you can find.

2. In the winter, my ankles stay cold.

This is a continuation of struggle 1, but deserves its owns number because you don't really understand the true nuisance of your ankles showing until it hits snowing temperature. I've begun wearing wool socks with my converse (even though I hear this is the hip thing to do) because my ankles can no longer take the bitter cold.

3. "Have any cute shoes I can borrow?" "Only if you can shrink your feet."

Chances are, if you're tall, your feet are not a size 6, 7, nor 8. While my feet have often been called my built in flippers when I swim, there is a perk to having the biggest sized shoe in your friend group. No one can ever 'borrow' and never return your shoes, but you also can't borrow your friend's super cute new sandals.

4. You are the giraffe in group photo.

So your friends want to get dressed up and you of course (have no fear) pick out a pair of cute wedges to go with your dress. You then stand a good 'head' length above the rest of the group. For the most part, this is the case for heals or no heals. However, you can choice to opt for the more comfortable choice of flats and still be taller than your friends in heals.

5. Guys. Guys. Guys. "Don't wear heals around me."

Excuse you? Dating a guy my height or shorter is something I truly don't care too much about, but when it comes to the guy, you can get that whole, "your height is totally fine as long as you don't wear heals." Um, I'll wear heals (whatever the height) if I want to.

6. You constantly get asked to reach or hang something.

I think every job I've worked at has told me 'thank goodness we finally hired a tall girl.' Just call me your everyday picture frame hanger and top shelf grabber.

7. "Is this a shirt or dress?"

I like dresses, mostly for the fact that it's one piece of clothing and not two, but why on earth do they come so short? I'm trying to look casual and change quick, not show my entire booty to the person or people behind me. I guess my solution in this is, find out if the dress you love comes in a tall size (although we all know that's rare to find), buy it in a lager size and hope for the best, or wear spandex and have no shame.

8. No, my shorts do not pass the 'fingertip rule.'

In high school, it was an everyday thing to make sure my shorts went to my fingertips with my arms at my sides. Well my arms are just as long as my legs. My shorts are already the "long length" and so I can't help it. Although I'm out of high school, I can't help but try out the 'fingertip rule' when buying a new dress or pair of shorts. I usually don't follow it.

9. I'm looking for a t-shirt, not a crop top.

While most of my height is definitely in my legs, my torso has its struggle too. Most tank tops I own hit right at my belly button and ride up during the day. Ugh, wear a sweater and hope for the best.

10. Your nicknames vary, from long arms to long legs.

I once took a photo with my friends in a bathroom mirror and was wearing a striped sweater. I think the stripes extended my arm length and for a good while I was called 'long arms.' At least I can reach thing I drop on the floor without getting up from my chair.

11. You get the common questions "Do you play basketball? Do you run track?"

I have never played basketball or have run track. Being tall is a great asset to these sports and many more, but the last thing a tall girl needs to hear is "oh what a shame you don't ball." I don't really think it's a shame, but thanks for sharing your opinion with me.

The tall girl struggle is definitely a big one, but one I'm happy to embrace. Growing up, I truly never thought I was on the taller end of things until someone would say something to me about my growing height. Now, I find my height to be a confidence booster and something I'm proud of that helps identify who I am. Sure, I still have my shopping challenges, but it's one I'm happy to take on.