I recently discovered that I'm shorter than I had originally believed. So, I decided to make it a memorable day and find out my actual height. Armed with a marker, tape measure, and even insoles for my shoes (just to see how much extra height they were giving me), I embarked on this height-revealing adventure. First, I measured myself with the insoles in my Vans. To my surprise, I marked the wall at 5'8 and a half. But hold on a second, without shoes, am I really just 5'8? It couldn't be! So, I took off my shoes, and what do you know? I'm actually 5'6 and a half. For years, I thought I was almost average height, but here I am, walking around like a lowly crab. I believed I was a superior being, far above the common folk dwelling in the depths. But nope, I'm stuck in the "unseen" zone on Tinder and other dating apps. Should I change my height on my dating profiles? Do I want to face further rejection? Well, as a brown guy with a white man's first name and a last name that screams "spicy curry," I think I'll hold off on that for now.

It's been about a year since I bought those insoles, and I've only worn them a few times to clubs and events. They were uncomfortable for dancing, which I love. Interestingly enough, even when I thought I was 5'8, those extra inches didn't bring me the success I had hoped for. It turns out that a few extra inches didn't make a difference in anyone's perception.

Height has been a lifelong struggle for me, holding me back from connecting with people because I felt inferior. It affected my dating life, prevented me from seizing career opportunities, and even made me shy away from building relationships. I've tried mantras, self-improvement journeys, and meditation to convince myself that my height shouldn't limit my success. But I failed. Every attempt at self-improvement served as a reminder that I wasn't enough to achieve my goals.

Then came the day I decided to measure myself. The 5'8 measurement originated from a nurse during a doctor's appointment when I was around 20. She said 5'8, and I gladly accepted it. But seriously, how could she have been so blind? I know we shrink with age, but I'm only 29. I didn't expect to lose an inch and a half in just ten years. I held onto that "not far below average" height as my saving grace, thinking it made me somewhat desirable to the opposite sex. So, discovering my actual height was a major letdown.

However, upon careful reflection, I stumbled upon some fascinating insights that I had overlooked while believing my height was the cause of my successes or failures:

1. Despite the stereotype that short Indian guys rank at the bottom, my personal experiences contradicted this belief. I've been invited back to numerous apartments for "coffee" after dates, attended countless after-parties, dated and slept with women taller than me (even taller than 6'0), and had women approach me. These were experiences that many men in the manosphere complain about never having.
2. Surprisingly, I haven't faced as much rejection as one would expect for a shorter man. If I am indeed shorter than I thought, then it wasn't my height that landed me in those amazing situations. While some women didn't consider me their type, I've been accepted and welcomed into more intimate situations with the opposite sex than I initially realized.
3. Yes, I may not fit the mold of what women seek in the online dating realm, but that's their loss, not mine. I thrive in the real world, where online experiences hold no significance. I boast about my success in person to my friends, who can't even fathom it because they're stuck in the app vortex. I sparingly use dating apps because, honestly, they've never worked for me. Instead, I venture out on my weekends, engaging with everyone, and finding acceptance from all. My height has never been a hindrance. In fact, the challenges of face-to-face interactions make it all the more fulfilling, like playing on veteran mode.
4. Let's be real here, I've pulled off some moves with women that I shouldn't have been able to. As a guy like me, half the stuff I've accomplished shouldn't have worked. It's like performing miraculous feats straight out of the RSD playbook that should defy all odds.

Measuring myself and confronting my true height proved to be more therapeutic than any meditation session. However, I understand that this process may not work for everyone. Nevertheless, it's worth taking the time to sit down and assess the events in your life, reminding yourself of all your successes. If your life seems weighed down by negativity, it's time to prioritize living for yourself, because nobody else will do it for you. Don't allow your height to become a limiting factor, as it's an utterly absurd reason to hold your life back.