Struggling with faith as a Muslim woman... need your advice! 😔

Assalamu alaikum everyone. Before I get into my thoughts, a little about me: I’m about to start college, and I’ve lived in the U.S. my whole life. Lately, I’ve been seeing so many discussions about Islam online that I never really encountered before. I feel like I know the basics, but I’ve never actually read the entire Quran with translation myself. As I come across different verses, hadith, and online conversations, I’m getting hit with questions that are hard to shake off. One thing that’s really been on my mind is how Islam sometimes feels easier for men compared to women. Women already deal with a lot, and then some religious teachings seem to be twisted or interpreted in ways that favor men and make things tougher for us. I started wearing hijab back in middle school, and honestly, I was so happy about it then. I had people I admired, and it felt like my choice. But over time, it’s gotten harder. Instead of feeling closer to my faith, I often feel cut off from the world around me, especially growing up here. You feel judged either way, and even simple stuff like swimming becomes a whole ordeal. I’d really love to hear from Muslim women, but respectful brothers can share too, insha’Allah. As a Muslim woman, how do you tell apart what’s actually Islam from cultural habits, patriarchal takes, or things influenced by human opinions? It’s also tough to balance two different mindsets. Growing up in America, I learned that men and women are equal in every way. So some Islamic rules feel limiting for women in ways that don’t seem the same for men. I know Islam gave women many rights, especially back then, but some things still feel unequal, and I’m trying to figure out how other Muslim women handle those feelings. Another thing I’m confused about is where to find reliable information. I’m Sunni, but I don’t know the Sunnah deeply. I’ve seen Muslims online who say they only follow the Quran because they question hadith authenticity, claiming hadith aren’t preserved like the Quran. I get that hadith were collected with careful methods and many are authentic, but I still wonder: why do we rely so much on the Sunnah, and how should a sincere learner deal with this? I’m not asking to leave Islam-I want the opposite, truly. I just want to understand my faith better, and I’m struggling with ideas that sometimes seem unfair to women. I don’t want to force myself into explanations that don’t sit right with me. Sorry for the loads of questions, and jazakum Allahu khairan for reading and sharing your thoughts. Any advice or personal experiences mean a lot.