The world is not built for me

A short girl guide to daily inconveniences

This is episode 16 of my mini series: ‘Office Hours’ which shares a listicle look at what’s in my notes app & on my mind. You can expect these on Saturdays, with the exception of the last weekend in the month which is reserved for my monthly unfiltered column. These will be under 5 minutes to read or listen to.

I am five feet tall. On a good day, I’m 5’1 - in platform Converse & with a top knot.

This has never felt like a tragedy, I’m not walking around writing odes to tall girls or buying 3-inch insoles to feel something. But being short is like having a secret list of everyday annoyances that no one else around you even notices.

It’s the kind of thing where people say, “You’re so lucky, you can wear heels without towering over everyone!” and you’re like… okay, but I also need a stool to get a mixing bowl down.

It’s not about self-esteem. It’s not about fashion.

It’s about logistics.

The world just wasn’t designed with short girls in mind. And while we’ve adapted (like the evolutionary queens we are), I thought I’d document a few of the very real, very ridiculous daily grievances that come with living closer to the floor.

This is not a call for help. This is a gentle roast of our architecture, furniture, and society at large.

Let’s begin.

A Day in the Life of 5'1 and Below

1. 🪑Barstools are medieval torture devices

They’re not made for sitting. They’re made for dangling.

I can either let my feet swing lifelessly like I’m on a playground set, or I can tuck one leg underneath me and risk sliding off entirely. Either way, I will not voluntarily sit at the bar.

2. ✈️ There is no comfortable way to sit on an airplane

Tall people complain about legroom, but at least their feet touch the ground. Mine hover. Always. I bring a bag just to use as a footrest like I’m setting up camp. By the end of the flight, my back hurts, my hips are sore, and my legs feel like I just gave blood.

3. 👗 Maxi dresses are a hazard to national security

They weren’t made for me, they were made for the statues outside The Met. Like I’m sweeping the entire Trader Joe’s with my hemline. Thank you for your service. Please tip on your way out.

4. 🏋 Gym machines are a personal attack

Sure, the seat adjusts, but does it really? There is a limit.

I’m scooting to the edge, arms fully extended, praying my legs can still reach. Half the time I’m holding on for dear life. Sir, my feet aren’t even touching the ground how am I supposed to curl this?

5. 🫂 Group hugs are dangerous

People assume they’re warm and fuzzy.

What they are is chest-first asphyxiation. Everyone else is having a tender bonding moment, and I’m fighting for oxygen. It’s not a hug. It’s a headlock with body heat. No thanks.

6. 🎤 Concerts are just an exercise in audio skill.

Because that’s all you’re getting: the sound.

You didn’t come to see your favorite artist. You came to study the broad shoulders and ironic phone screens of the six rows of people in front of you. Oh, someone just lifted their girlfriend on their shoulders? Great, love that for me.

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I know there are worse things in the world.

But I’d still like to live in a future where restaurant chairs come with footrests, gym machines don’t assume you’re a 6-foot man, and someone invents a maxi dress that doesn’t double as a street mop.

Being short is not a flaw. If you’re a fellow member of the “can’t reach the top shelf” club, forward this to your tallest friend and ask them to kindly rotate the spices for once.

After calling out the daily inconveniences of being 5'1" and under, I thought— why not be helpful and cute about it? Enter: the Short Girl Survival Kit. Because if we’re going to deal with tall shelves, long mirrors, and concert view struggles, we might as well have the essentials to thrive through it.

Can you do me a favor? If you like this, will you hit the heart ❤️ at the bottom of your email? I pinky promise it helps me and will only take you a second!

Hey Simply,

How do I know if I’m actually unhappy in my marriage… or just burnt out as a mom?

Lately, I find myself fantasizing about being alone, not with someone else, just alone. In a hotel room. With silence. No one asking for snacks. No one touching me. No mental tabs open. Just stillness.

I still love my partner, but I don’t feel connected to him. We’re constantly in logistics mode: daycare, groceries, bills, repeat. Sometimes I wonder if I’m blaming him for a season of life that’s just inherently exhausting. But other times, I catch myself thinking… if I had the chance to start fresh, I might not choose this.

I don’t want to blow up my life if what I really need is a nap and a better support system. But what if I’m ignoring something deeper because I’m afraid to say it out loud?

How do you tell the difference between burnout and real unhappiness?

Signed,

Burned Out

Oh Burned Out,

I’m so sorry. My hurt goes out to you. I think you hit the nail on the head. Some seasons of life are just inherently harder than others. It’s a season, or at least it should be. You’ll only really know if you can get some distance to look at your situation from afar.

I truly believe in resting when you are tired, instead of quitting. That’s easier said than done, because as a mom there is little rest. But your mental and emotional health is the most important thing here and everyone else, your husband included, needs to get on board. That means we need to start putting systems in place for you to get help and yes, paying for help if unpaid & familiar help isn’t available.

What can this look like?

• A house helper or teen caretaker. This can be someone to come help you fold and put away laundry 2x a week OR someone who can play with your kids and get them to eat dinner while you hide in the pantry and eat sour straws.

• Daycare or Drop In Daycare. This can even be a gym membership. There are gym memberships that allow for 3 hours of daily childcare. That can be the difference in your sanity. You can sit in a sauna, read your kindle, or hide in a compression booth.

Until you realize that your worth and value are nonnegotiable (including your mental capacity) things aren’t going to change. Time to start advocating for yourself bestie, and if you get some space hopefully you get the clarity to see what really needs to change in your life.

With love,

-Simply

Have some advice for our reader? Put it in the comments, I’m sure she’s reading!

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