You hate that your styling options are limited.
You're afraid to go short because you don't want to look like a poufball on a stick.
But the truth is you have AMAZING styling options and yes, you can go shortish. You can straighten your hair with a flat iron, or Japanese or Brazilian straightening procedures. You can get your hair dry cut into the most gorgeous shoulder-length styles, as seen on Lisa Edelstein here. And you are so lucky because chances are you only have to wash your hair once or twice a week.
Let's focus on the positives, shall we? After all, straight haired women covet your curls. I know this for a fact. I own 4 curling irons.