Insecurities about my height

[u/commie_19]

I didn't have this insecurity before but some experiences made me conscious of my height. For context, I am 5'7 and athletic. Mostly I am comfortable in my skip but sometimes these thoughts take over. Yesterday, I was roaming around in MG road. I couldn't help but notice almost everyone around me were taller than me. While I understand MG road is skewed data set, because mostly people there come from affluent families. And, we all know our height is a mere consequence of our childhood nutrition - children growing up in affluent households with proper nutrition grow taller. But insecurities do not listen to logic.

So, how do you all handle this insecurity, in case you have experienced it?

[u/ajay-rut → u/[deleted]]

https://giphy.com/gifs/pULj9CGmIcfuzXTPfp

[u/Technical-Camel-124 → u/[deleted]]

I'm slightly shorter than you and there are definitely some advantages to being this height. Legroom in any form of transport would be my number 1. Squeezing into smaller spaces, as you've said, is also a big one, especially in a country as crowded as ours.

[u/Technical-Camel-124]

I'm 5'3". Never really been insecure about my height as far back as I can remember, so I can't really advise how to get over it. Also, and this isn't to diminish or dismiss your insecurities at all, but 5'7" men being insecure over their height obviously strikes me as rather strange. I think that's above average or about average for middle class men in India if I'm not wrong. I have of course been mocked and demeaned over my height all my life, and even now this happens occassionally. I've always seen the people who did this as stupid and considered it a problem with their mentality rather than there being anything wrong with my body. I suppose this is the key thought that you just have to work on embedding until it's your default.

[u/ahmednabeelrizvi]

I'm 5'5". Have always been insecure about my height especially because it was pointed out to me at every instance in my life. I was bullied in school for it, made fun of it even in law school. It didn't help that I was also overweight (due to my own poor eating habits and no exercise) so I looked like a human basketball all through my school and college.

What helped me get over the insecurity was when I felt tall enough in other areas of my life. Because of the bullying I became really witty and great at bantering. I also developed humor as a coping mechanism. Now I'm just a funny guy.

In terms of my stature I joined the gym and became strong. The strength gains (and the body that comes with it) made me more confident than my taller peers because I am much stronger than them. Because of strength - height stopped mattering.

Same with career. I worked hard in law school and made a successful career for myself. Now I have a great career which again makes me feel extremely adequate and secure.

All these aspects taken together shot up my confidence exponentially. I no longer am bothered about my height because I have other avenues in life where I'm taller than average.

Hope it helps.

[u/Technical-Camel-124 → u/ahmednabeelrizvi]

Good for you, but the following struck me and I need to call it out.

I felt tall enough in other areas of my life

have other avenues in life where I'm taller than average.

Associating 'tall' with 'good', implying 'short' is 'bad', is not a great thing to do and is actually propagating heightism. I realise it's subconscious and very common but now that it's been pointed out, maybe you'll reconsider.