Hey Tanisha

​​Wow, you are thirteen –welcome to the teenage years! Arre yaar I am telling you…these teen years are the best time of your life! I still remember mine. Aww, how I miss those days girl.

Shall I make a confession Tanisha? These teenage years are also equally confusing! I mean, we are growing up – physically, emotionally and mentally. Something changes every day! A pimple on the face, growing arms and legs, new emotions and for us girls – growing breasts!

Pata hai, I too had all the questions you are asking me now, including when to start wearing a bra! And back then, we did not have websites like TeenBook to help us!

Also, don’t forget to check out this really funny and informative video on the top signs of puberty in girls. I am sure you will like it. Read the rest of my gyan below the video! 

No ‘right’ age

First things first – there is no one or proper age to start wearing a bra. It all depends on your body and the growth of your breasts. Some girls start wearing some kind of bra (crop top/sports bra/training bra) when they are about 11. Others may need to start as young as eight and some may not need one until after they are 14. So chill girl, your body will tell you!

How? So, when girls hit puberty, their breasts begin to grow. Now like I just said, this happens at different times for everyone. Some girls may feel tenderness and soreness when their breasts start to bud or grow. You may see your nipples developing and you may also begin to feel a strain on your breasts during any physical exercises such as running, jumping or playing sports.

If you can feel any of these growth signs, it may be a good time to start thinking about a bra.

Count on it

Have you heard the famous saying — “Bras are like friends, they take away your strain and give you support!” You must be thinking, now which celeb said this? Well, yours truly, Disha the great – who else! Haha.

Bras provide support to the breasts when there is a lot of motion involved, especially during sports. Wearing a bra also cuts down the pressure on the back and neck, especially when the breasts are heavier. Sometimes, the weight of the breasts also pulls the breasts down and forward putting extra pressure on your back and neck. So, wearing a bra can improve your posture and help with back pain.

No bra, no harm

If you feel that your breasts are not causing any discomfort for you, while doing any activities, and that you do not feel the need for a bra, that’s perfectly fine too. It all depends on the need and comfort of your body.

Your breasts will not become big if you do not wear one! It’s just a myth. The size of your breasts depends on your genes (jeans nahi!) and not on wearing or not wearing a bra.

Your first bra

But if you do feel the need for a bra, make sure to spend some time understanding your needs. Research! First off it is important to know your size. Wearing an incorrect size bra can be really uncomfortable. You can easily measure your size with a measuring tape at home. Follow this guide to understand how to correctly measure your size. Once you know your size, note it down and take it with you when you go shopping for a bra.

I would say, do not go alone to buy your first bra. Arre yaar, after all it’s a special occasion of sorts to celebrate the milestone – your parents or an elder sibling you trust. Make it a day to remember. Maybe convince them for an after-bra party too!

You go, girl!

I went with my mother to buy my first bra and guess what – I was so utterly conscious the whole time that I forgot to enjoy the experience! Told you na, TeenBook nahi tha to boost my confidence! But for you, main hun na! So worry not! Be confident! It’s our body and we got to do the best for it! Hain na! There is nothing to be ashamed about.

Try a lot of bras before you choose one. Arre yaar, they are going to be your best friends for life! So choose wisely!

Initially it may feel odd to wear one because you are not used to wearing a bra. So go for comfort and not looks. Buy a cotton one, without any accessories like wires or pads. It may help to start with a sports bra, which is like a crop top.

And yes, never wear a bra to sleep! Sleep se yaad aaya, it’s late! Yes, I always sleep for a minimum of eight hours, you see. I have my classes early in the morning for which I like to be freshtastic. Sayonara!

Got a question or a doubt? Then come Ask Disha! The coolest Trusted Adult in India, Disha, will answer all your queries on Growing Up! Post them in the comments box below or send them to our insta inbox! Disha will respond to them in upcoming columns.

Please remember not to put out any personal information.
Listen to this podcast –

What’s going on?

Honestly, I’ve been feeling so weird lately because every time Rhea is around, I get this crazy mix of excitement and nerves, so I finally decided to talk to Mira didi about it. She told me it’s totally normal to have a crush—which is such a funny name for it, but I actually really like the feeling! She explained that we’re growing up and starting puberty, which means a lot of changes in our bodies and how we feel.

My mom actually gave me “the talk” yesterday too and mentioned the same thing. She warned me about the typical stuff like pimples, body hair, and body odor, but she didn’t really mention the part about catching feelings or falling for someone, which is honestly the most interesting part of the whole thing!

It’s the hormones dear!

Charu texted me again today. I think she’s actually losing it at that hostel because she’s writing to me every day now. She’s mostly just venting about her skin completely freaking out. She woke up with these massive spots on her chin and is basically terrified to leave her room. Honestly, I totally get it. I feel like I’m constantly checking the mirror for a breakout lately too.

But the worst part is how clumsy I’ve gotten. My legs feel way too long for my body all of a sudden, and I literally tripped over my own feet right in front of Rohan yesterday. He actually caught my arm to steady me, and I swear I just stopped breathing. I’m so worried that I’ll forget how to walk or even speak the next time I see him. My brain is honestly glitching. I guess this is just how things are going to be now.

Got it. Period!

You actually won’t believe the timing, but I had the biggest heart attack at my sister’s party yesterday. I looked down and saw this huge red stain on my dress—I seriously thought I’d sat in something or spilled a drink and was so stressed everyone was staring at me. Then I realized… it was actually my first period.

I was honestly so freaked out and had to have my mom help me deal with it in the bathroom, which was kind of awkward, but she was actually really chill about it. It’s just so weird that it’s finally happening. I’m still kind of processing that this is my life now!

The hair and the bear

So, my birthday party last night was actually really good. But honestly, the wildest part of the weekend was this morning. I was looking in the bathroom mirror and realized I’m starting to grow hair in places I definitely didn’t have it a month ago. I feel like I’m turning into a bear or something overnight.

Also, my voice has gotten way deeper in just the last few days. I seriously thought I just had a sore throat that was taking forever to go away, but then it clicked, this is actually puberty hitting. It’s kind of a weird realization that everything is changing this fast.

It’s not for me!

Well, I mean. I am not so sure about all of this. I mean I don’t feel like a girl or a boy. I never have! And I don’t have these changes happening to me. And I am not sure I even want them!

It’s not a race!

I was scrolling through Instagram today and ended up on Aditi’s new vacation photos. It was honestly kind of a reality check. She looks so much older all of a sudden, and she’s already wearing these actual swimsuits that I definitely couldn’t pull off yet. I ended up looking at myself in the mirror for way too long afterward just wondering when I’m finally going to look like that.

It’s so frustrating because it feels like everyone else got this secret update over the summer and I’m just stuck. I know it’s stupid to compare myself to a photo, but I can’t help feeling like a kid while everyone else is moving on. I’m just waiting for the day I actually wake up and feel like things are starting to change for me, too.

Different For All

None of us are alike, so how can our puberty be? Puberty happens to different people at different times. There is no ‘correct time’ for these changes to take place. It’s completely ok to have signs of puberty early on or later. So, don’t worry if you are experiencing or not experiencing these changes yet.

Build Your Network

Puberty can bring in many changes. Some can be exciting and great, others difficult and challenging. But you don’t have to go through puberty alone. It can be made easier and less stressful by focusing on your strengths and building a support network of trusted adults.

These are a group of people who care about you like your parents, teacher, an elder sibling or grandparents. Trusted adults can guide you by providing you correct information, telling you what to do or share their own experiences. These are the people you can reach out to when you are confused, sad or need advice.

Listen to this podcast –