I'm short. It's just a fact of life. Measuring in at a whopping 5 feet 2 inches, I am below the average height for a woman. Being short has its own struggles associated with it. Us "shorties" go through life a little bit differently than our taller counterparts. Allow me to give you some examples.

1. High shelves are a literal nightmare.

Whether we're out shopping or trying to get something out of our tall cabinets, high shelves all around suck. If I want anything off the top shelf at work, I literally have to climb up the shelf like I'm scaling Mount Everest. Climbing counter tops in kitchens has become a normal part of my life. In short (no pun intended), high shelves are the worst!

2. People think you are younger than you actually are.

Now this can be a positive. I'll admit that. However, when you're a 20-year-old woman and people look at you and think you're in eighth grade it can be a bit of a blow to your ego.

3. Hugging can be interesting.

From being smothered by boobs or being someone's head rest, hugging can definitely be interesting for a short person.

4. It takes FOREVER to shop for clothes.

One of the most frustrating things in the world for a short person is finding a pair of pants that are the perfect size, but are way too long. Is a pair of pants that fits every part of me so of hard to ask for?

5. Having to stand on your tiptoes for everything ever.

On the bright side we have calves of steel.

6. You feel like a child when your feet don't touch the ground while sitting down.

I'm an adult, I promise. I'm just a very short adult.

7. Trying to keep up with your long-legged friends.

I'm a pretty fast walker, but keeping up with tall people can feel like running a marathon sometimes.

8. People constantly tell you how short you are.

Wow thanks for pointing that out. I never would've noticed that I was short without your insight.

9. People underestimate how strong you are.

I'm not sure why, but when people look at me as a short person, they think I'm a lot weaker than I actually am. For example, at my summer job I'm required to do some heavy lifting and taller people are constantly trying to help me because they think I can't do it. I may be short, but that doesn't mean I can't do as much work as my tall counterparts. Being tall doesn't equate to being strong the same way being short doesn't equate to being weak!

10. Short jokes. Lots and lots of short jokes.

"How's the weather down there?" "You trying out for the basketball team shorty?" "Man it looks like you come up just SHORT. HAHAHAHAHA!" So many jokes. So many.

Even though being short can have its downsides, I love being short! It's really a part of my identity that I've truly embraced. There are always ups and downs no matter what height you are, but you should love every inch of yourself because you deserve it! Height is just a number. It's how you own it that really matters!