If you've lived a life under 5'4" you've felt the pang of your doctor saying something about how you have finished growing. For me that moment was around six years ago, and I haven't grown an inch since. I capped off my height at a solid 5 foot; add an extra half inch on a good day. After kicking myself about not becoming a world-class gymnast and accepting that I cannot be a princess in Walt Disney World, I came to love my height. Like anything there are the good and the bad, but I love my hobbit-sized life. Here's a short list of pros and cons I've come to embrace over the years.
Con #1: Reaching top shelves
You will always need people in your life to help you reach those glasses on the top shelf—or at least just a step stool. If all else fails, you learn the best tactics for climbing cabinets.
Con #2: Pant hems
Unless it is labeled "petite" or “short” you will undoubtedly have to get every pair of pants you own hemmed. There may even be shorter length ensembles that will need hemming as well. Your seamstress is your best friend.
Con #3: Long dresses
My high school had a long dress only rule for proms. Subsequently almost all of my dresses met scissors at some point. There is just one exception: the elegant number I wore to Junior Prom was just short enough sans alteration to wear with heels and the length was perfect.
Con #4: Pulling your shoulder muscles
In those moments you think you can reach something without a stool or without help, listen to that small nagging voice in the back of your mind before you pull a shoulder muscle. I should really make a mental note to myself that my arms are still proportional to my height no matter how long I will them to be.
Con #5: Feet that never touch the floor
I have acquired the habit of sitting at the very end of a chair or pulling my feet up and sitting back. Without these perfected perching techniques, my feet would dangle awkwardly above the ground.
Con #6: Visor in car
Sunglasses are a vital part of my automotive arsenal as the sun visor in many cars does absolutely nothing for me save for the exact middle of the day. Many mornings of sitting up as tall as I could to battle the bright sunrise have taught me that the visor is not always worth it.
Pro #1: Capri pants
Although the world may never decide if cropped pants are actually in style, us shorter folk should take advantage of them. Although regular length pants may not always fit in the inseam, capri pants will always be a viable option right off the rack. Even if the length is still slightly awkward, a simple fold up of the hem will fix it right up.
Pro #2: Small spaces
Ever wonder if you have to duck underneath that tree branch? If you’re on the shorter side, probably not.
Pro #3: Leg room?
I don’t need it. I will perpetually volunteer myself to sleep on an available couch where I can stretch out to my full 5’1/2”. The middle seat of the back row in a car is my secondary domain.
Pro #4: Child admission
Although untested as of yet, I have a running theory that I could probably gain child’s admission to many attractions. While I haven’t been mistaken for a twelve-year-old in a couple years, I bet I could still pass if need be.
Pro #5: Shorts are never too short.
Shorts have to be a certain length? No problem. Although those 7" inseam shorts may look more similar to Bermudas, you can rock a modest 3.5" for almost any event.
Pro #6: You always look up to your friends.
I will forever look up to my friends and family as they all have a couple inches on me.