I did not have many friends until reaching college so my struggle with height was internal for many years.
My mother did her best in trying to extend friendship to me but it simply was not the same as having a friend that was a peer.
Do any of you tall girls have a story to share in reference to how a friend has helped you deal or cope with your height?
I would love to read about it.
6 comments:
I came from a very small town and was usually the tallest in my class. My parents and other brother are all much shorter than me and the family joke is that there must have been a switch at birth (but we all look like each other). They tried to give me a lot of support, but when you are 13 and more than a half head taller than your dad it feels strange. So I was very shy in school even though my family tried as hard as they could.
Mom was very good to me. She taught me to sew a bit and we'd modify patterns so my clothes were mostly stylish. My torso is normal sized and I'm very thin, so getting tops wasn't hard, but anything for my legs or arms was impossible.
When I turned 19 I was living on my own in a big city and some bad things happened. I became depressed and was living from sofa to sofa and even outside. Then an amazing married couple took me in and treated me like a member of their family. They are both a lot shorter than me, but height never mattered. I got a lot of self confidence and do very well now.
I would take long walks with them in the evening. I mentioned that I didn't see myself as particularly tall, but that everything else was on the smaller side but that is normal. My friend told me that this was great, but I should remember that strangers are normal to me and I am unusual to most strangers. New people don't know how to react and the looks and comments are just part of it. They are mostly harmless.
Later I talked to my taller friend who is very confident. She has pretty much the same idea, but she sees the uncomfortable comments and questions as opportunities to say something nice or funny, but in a nice way. Both of us never put others down, but talk to them and it is a good way to make yourself feel good and make friends. On a Sunday walk I might find myself talking to a dozen people about almost anything. One of her best lines is, when someone comments on how tall she is, is to look at her shoes (she is usually wearing flip flops or running shoes) and say "oh - it isn't me -- its the shoes!"
From the time I was about 20 I have come to love my height and feel it is a way for someone as shy as me to easily meet new people.
You do have to cope with fitting into the physical world - clothes, traveling and everything else, but I wouldn't give up my height for anything now and I owe a lot to that couple who helped me (they are still among my best friends!).
It was my auntie that helped me deal with my height. She has died but I remember her telling me all the time to stand tall. She was shorter than me but walked around like she was taller than anyone on the planet.
WOW Jheir!
I could imagine being on my own at 19. I know you were scared.
Good thing those people were there to help you.
Michel you would be surprised at how many girls are out on the street at that age.
I was 16 when I left home.
I am glad I do not have to live alone at a young age.
Both of my parents are with me and they are not that tall. But, they make sure I have everything I need.
Speaking of being alone.
Sometimes being a tall girl can make you feel like an outcast BUT do know that you are NOT alone.
There are other tall girls, just like yourself.
We are just scattered all over the world!
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