Struggles And Rewards Of Being A Hobbit-Sized Human
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Struggles And Rewards Of Being A Hobbit-Sized Human

If you treat your step stool well, it will treat you well in return.

4
Struggles And Rewards Of Being A Hobbit-Sized Human
Kristina Plunkett

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40984
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25541
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951045
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133730
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments