It can feel frustrating to see other people’s bodies change while your own seems to stay the same. You might look in the mirror and wonder, “Why isn’t anything happening to me?” That feeling is very common — and completely normal.

Puberty starts at different ages for everyone. Some people begin around age 9, while others don’t notice changes until 13 or 14. Breast development is one of the first signs of puberty for people with a uterus, but it doesn’t happen at the same time or pace for everyone. It’s also common for there to be a long gap between the very first signs and when the breasts become more noticeable.

Your body knows what it’s doing. Breast growth is guided by the hormone estrogen, which increases at the rate that’s right for you. For many, it can take one or two years before the changes become clear — and even then, breasts grow at different speeds. There’s no “right” size, shape, or timeline. Every body develops in its own way.

The most important thing to remember is that your breast size or timing has nothing to do with how feminine, mature, or normal you are.

Alma’s tips:

• Try not to compare yourself to others — you only see the outside of their journey.

• If you’re worried, talk to the school nurse or a midwife at a youth health clinic.

• Remind yourself: you are completely normal, even if your body takes a little longer to change.