How to Accept Being a Tall Girl

Embracing Your Height

Find reasons you like being tall. Every time you find yourself wishing you weren’t so tall, think of three things you like about your height instead. As you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start feeling better about being tall. For example, maybe being tall gives you an advantage when you play sports, or maybe you’d like to explore modeling as a career in the future.

Take advantage of your height. If you like basketball or volleyball, your height will give you an edge. Rock climbing, high jumping, and dance are a few other sports that tall people often excel at. If sports aren’t your thing, find everyday reasons to appreciate your height, such as reaching things on high shelves.

Learn about the long-term benefits of being tall. Your height comes with some major lifelong benefits. On average, tall people make more money than their shorter counterparts. They tend to be happier, and they may even be more intelligent. Tall women also tend to command more respect than shorter women.

Say something nice about yourself every day. Daily affirmations can have a big boost on your confidence. At least once a day, say something that you enjoy about your height. You can repeat this in the mirror or write it down in a journal. Create a positive body image for yourself by admiring your own height. You might say something like, "What nice legs I have" or "I think I rock this skirt."

Presenting Yourself Well

Stand up straight. You’ll do wonders for your health and self-image if you use good posture. Keep your head up and your shoulders back. Don’t slouch – besides causing back problems, this can actually draw attention to your height because it makes you look like you’re trying to shrink. Own your height and stand up proudly.

Wear clothes that fit you. No matter how cute something is, only buy it if it fits you. Nice, well-fitting clothes will make you feel more confident about your appearance. On the other hand, clothes that don’t fit can detract from your self-confidence by making you look gangly or awkward. Make sure your pants are long enough. Too-short pants will only make you look taller. Be aware that even average-length skirts and dresses tend to look shorter on girls with long legs. Maxi dresses tend to be flattering on tall girls. If you’re creative, you can learn to sew your own clothes. You’ll have fun designing things that fit you beautifully, and you won’t have to worry about being unable to find clothes at the store anymore.

Smile and let your personality shine through. When you’re happy and confident, people will pay more attention to your sparkling personality than your height. Be positive, friendly, and kind to others. Focus on how much you have to offer the world besides your height. People will probably always make comments or ask questions about your height. Many times, they are paying you a compliment, so don’t be embarrassed. Smile and thank them if they’ve said something nice, and answer any questions they have.

Don’t be afraid to wear heels. There’s a stereotype that tall girls can’t or shouldn’t wear heels, but that’s just not true. If you like heels, wear them! Your confidence will shine when you dress the way you want to. Heels will also make your legs appear even longer, which is a flattering look for anybody.

Dealing with Common Problems

Foster a healthy body image. If you're uncomfortable with your height, you might have a distorted image of your own body. Remind yourself that you are a unique human being. How you feel about your body is more important than what others think. A positive body image can help you feel more confident in your own skin. Try to challenge any negative perceptions you might have. For example, you can ask a significant other or friend to tell you your positive qualities. A healthy diet and exercise can help you feel more confident in your own skin. You can join or start a support group for other tall girls or people with body image issues. If your height makes you feel anxious or depressed, contact a mental health professional. They can help you develop and maintain a positive and healthy body image.

Brush off rude comments. Unfortunately, some people will always have mean things to say about your height. Know that the people who insult you are often just jealous. You can take some of the fun out of teasing you by laughing along and not taking stupid comments personally. If you don’t react to insults, people will probably get bored and stop trying to tease you. If boys make fun of you, it might be because they feel intimidated around a girl who’s taller than them. Their insecurity is the problem, not your height. If you’re being bullied in school, let your parents and your teachers know what’s going on. No one should have to put up with bullying, especially over something they can’t control like height.

Don’t compare your weight to shorter girls’. Remember that, as a tall girl, you need to weigh more than your shorter friends – it doesn’t mean you’re fat. Instead of comparing your weight to other people’s, use a BMI chart to find your healthy weight range. A good rule of thumb is to add five pounds of weight for every inch of height. For instance, if your 5’4” friend is 120 pounds and you are 6 inches taller, you might want to weigh about 150 pounds. This guideline will vary based on your frame size and lifestyle. For instance, if you’re an athlete, you might weigh more due to muscle mass.

Date whoever you want. Size doesn’t determine how compatible you are with another person. If you want to date someone shorter than you, that’s your business and no one else’s. Enjoy the relationship, and don’t let rude comments get to you. If someone teases you about dating a shorter person, stand up for yourself. Say “Why does it matter?” or “We are really like each other, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped making jokes.”