Why does body image pressure hit teenage girls so hard?

It’s like the world hands you a rulebook at 13 and says “follow this or else.” Social media, ads, even casual comments—everything screams “be smaller, prettier, quieter.” I spent years shrinking myself to fit the mold, and honestly? It’s exhausting.

I remember scrolling through Instagram at 15, comparing my stretch marks to edited selfies. The pressure to look “perfect” felt like a second job. Now I try to remind myself: my worth isn’t tied to my waistline. But damn, the noise never stops.

What’s the weirdest body image pressure you’ve noticed lately?