Shorter sides could just be due to your natural growth pattern. The back of my hair is just about BSL, but the sides of my hair are only SL and the front is even shorter. I don’t cut my hair and it absolutely
does not break. But, I've always known that the front and top of my hair has always grown at a slower rate, so I don’t worry about it too much.
Many other women have this same problem, and others just the opposite (long front, shorter back).
You can definitely keep and eye on your hair to make sure breakage is not the culprit and reduce tension. But, don’t worry! You're not alone. If there are no problems, keep doing what you're doing. The sides will eventually catch up. :Rose:
ETA: Oh, and my hair is perfectly even when I pull it straight up in the air.
erplexed A lot of people (including myself) have an "upwards" hair growth. The back is longer because it has longer to travel "up." The crown has the highest point, and are the shortest pieces of hair. The front and sides also have less ways to travel "up" than the back, and are shorter. Strange, but it makes sense. *shrug*