I hope you're having a great day. You've helped me a lot in the past so I've thought I ask you for advice again.

So I've bought my first board Torq 8'0 about 2 years ago and love it. It's the best board ever.
I have no problems in catching waves (small or bigger), standing on the board, riding waves (left, right, changing direction), building up speed (pumping, running on the board).

A friend of mine said lately it's about time for me to switch to a shortboard. And I've started to think about it. Well, I don't know... I've been having a lot of fun catching and riding. The reason I've started to think about the shortboard or shorter board, I guess, is the problem with paddling out and coming through the waves. Currently, I surf a beach break (there's a big beach, where I live). And sometimes it's pretty challenging with the longboard, no matter how many turtle rolls and jump overs I take, it seems impossible to come out. Although, some folks don't seem to have a problem with it. I can't tell if they have an 8'0 board like me because I'm pretty tall (1,8m), but they definitely don't have shortboards.
I don't know if this is a problem of the board or my skill, training, performance or so. This is what's bothering me or occupies my mind lately.
So my questions for you:
1. Is this a problem with the board, my skill or the board+conditions combo?
2. Should I try a shorter board? When yes, what size?
3. Other opinions or questions I should ask myself?
My boyfriend's said that talking about this was a lost call, that I've already had the answer, but I still loved to discuss it. Maybe you know more aspects of it or an opinion that's different.
Thank you guys for helping, your time responding and guiding me in advance!

Cheers,
Sonia