Looking back at our younger selves, many of us wish we had known certain things when we were 18. Whether it’s about relationships, career choices, or personal development, there are valuable pieces of advice that could have made a significant difference.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of wisdom, hilarious stories, and empowering tips from those who’ve been there, done that. From navigating love and friendships to finding your passion and embracing adulthood! So, buckle up because this ride is about living your best life and having a blast. Let’s dive into the treasure trove of advice from the veterans of life because your future is looking bright, and we’re here to cheer you on! Ready, set, go!
Financial Planning
Many people agree that it would have been smarter to start financial planning earlier in life. “Roth IRA and 401k as soon as you’re allowed. Even if it’s just a few bucks a week.”
As soon as you can start to put some money away do it, your future self will thank you.
Credit Score
Don’t mess up your credit score. Sometimes when you’re 18 you feel free and ready to take on the world. You don’t see the negative impacts of a bad credit score.
When you use your card, pay it off as soon as you can. Do not buy anything unless you have the cash readily available.
Higher Education
Make learning a lifelong love affair. Never really leave school or education. Keep sharpening yourself to be better than others. The best investment you can ever make is in yourself.
Apply for Grants
When heading to college, applying for numerous scholarships is essential, even if you think you may not meet all the criteria. Many scholarships remain unclaimed simply because no one applies for them. It’s often worth applying even if you’re unsure about meeting the qualifications because the selection committee may be eager to award the scholarship to a deserving candidate, and you could be the fortunate recipient if no one else applies.
Healthy Habits
Taking care of your health is simpler than attempting to remedy it in the future. This applies to your weight, physical fitness, vision, dental health, and all aspects of well-being.
Wear Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It helps prevent sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Applying sunscreen regularly reduces the risk of developing skin conditions and maintains healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
Build Strong Relationships Now
Genuine connections with others become increasingly challenging as time goes on. Cultivate a circle of friends who embody the qualities you aspire to possess, value their presence in your life, prioritize platonic relationships over romantic entanglements, and actively engage in their lives. True friends will reciprocate your efforts, offering support through good and tough times.
Invest in Career Exploration
At this age, individuals have the advantage of greater flexibility, fewer financial responsibilities, and a lower opportunity cost for trying out different career options. By exploring various early paths, young adults can gain valuable insights into their interests, strengths, and potential career trajectories, which can inform their educational choices and long-term career goals.
Personal Growth
When you feel self-conscious, remember that others are often preoccupied with their own concerns and may not even notice what makes you feel insecure or anxious. It’s not just you going through these feelings, everyone does.
Empathy and Kindness
Developing empathy allows young adults to understand and connect with others on a deeper level, fostering compassion and understanding in their interactions. On the other hand, kindness uplifts those around you and contributes to a positive and supportive social environment.
Surround yourself with positive people, and you’ll be just fine. Be aware of the point of view of others and that their point of view can be just as valid as yours.
Handling Failure
Give yourself the chance to figure things out. It’s okay to fail sometimes, but also be cautious of mistakes and aware that you can’t recover from some mistakes. What you do now can shape the rest of your life.
Take Risks
You learn more from your mistakes than your successes. As you grow and make mistakes, you will also learn from the mistakes you’ve made. Don’t hold back on trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone.
Everyday Tasks
Learn how to grocery shop, portion & cook. Eating out will force you to spend so much money, and that’s money you could have saved to use on other important things. Also, learn to fix things – cars, electrical, and plumbing. This will save you a fortune throughout your life.
Mental Health
It’s ok to cut toxicity out of your life. Both habits and people. Keep up your health – mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, etc. It’s much easier to maintain than regain or fix your mental well being later in life.
Set Boundaries
Be clear with boundaries. At work, with friends, with strangers, etc. Listen to your gut. Be firm when you have to say “no.”
Resisting Peer Pressure
When people say, “You don’t have your priorities straight,” they mean you don’t have their priorities straight. Make your own priorities and stick with them.
You don’t owe anyone anything.
Communicate Openly
Communicate on a healthy level and never lose your curiosity. Be open with the people around you.
Enjoying the Present
Enjoy the “now”. At 18, it’s normal to have hopes and dreams and want to follow a path to get to your goals, but remember to enjoy the present moment too. This is a great period of your life, don’t miss it because you were too worried about your future.
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Victoria Cornell helps women adopt a positive mindset even when the struggles of motherhood feel overwhelming. Victoria writes for multiple media outlets where she writes about, saving money, retirement, ways to reduce stress with mindset, manifesting, goal planning, productivity, and more.