You turned 18 years old. You graduated from high school. You’re entering the workforce. You’re entering higher education. You’re entering the “real world.” These may seem … daunting, to say the least. 

A recent AARP survey found “that 61 percent of those with significantly older friends claimed their intergenerational friendships helped them see other perspectives.” These friendships allow for deeper conversations and to be more open-minded. Everyone, no matter the age, can learn from each other and help one other become more resilient. 

Here’s the thing: Generation Z can learn from the older generations. Older generations have experiences, have learned valuable skills and even made mistakes. But the same thing can be argued for the other way around: Older generations can learn a thing or two from Generation Z, who truly have a lot to say. 

From leaders and thought experts on advice to Generation Z, what do you wish you knew at 18 years old? 

Steve Carter, Author of “The Thing Beneath the Thing” 

“When I was 18, I wish someone would have pulled me aside and told me to begin working on the painful parts of my story. People are very perceptive but we’re not always the best interpreters of reality. So, whether through a mentor, Salvation Army officer (pastor) or therapist—to have someone help me interpret my pain properly so I don’t transfer that sadness, trauma or wounds on. Basically, I needed help to get after the thing beneath the thing to better understand why I do what I do, like Paul writes in Romans 7:15.”

Captain Ryan Boyd, Salvation Army Officer

“I wish I knew that it was okay to not have it all figured out—I know that sounds cliché, but it’s okay to not know what your entire life holds by the time you are 18 [years old]. I wish I knew that I would eventually find my people—and that not all the relationships from my youth were forever relationships. I wish I knew that I was loved for who I was and not what I could do. I wish I knew that God’s love for me surpassed everything.” 

Lt. Meagan Ruff, Salvation Army Officer

“When I was 18, I wish I knew it was okay to not know. I was so eager to be an adult, that I beat myself up each time a class or job or relationship didn’t work out. Looking back, I can see how God used each new venture as an opportunity to grow my faith and add to my tangible life skills. If I had that perspective at 18, I think I would have been a bit more adventurous and recognized the opportunities for growth rather than focusing on what didn’t work out.” 

Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army USA

“When I was 18, I was convinced that I could serve the Lord best by pursuing my own agenda with as much energy and determination as possible. I knew that there was a lot for me to learn, and so I began to think that I could put off my determination to follow Him until after I’d acquired what I considered essential skills and experience. 

What I eventually came to see, however, was that God does not give us the luxury of a training period. When He calls us to serve Him, He means right now. He’s not asking that we put ourselves on the altar at some point in the future, but rather that we offer ourselves immediately. The day I understood that, a whole new world of possibilities opened up to me.” 

Joy Mikles, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

“If I could tell you anything, I would give you the gift of knowing you are so important and loved. You aren’t important because you DO anything special or important with your life. You are special because God saw fit to create you and breathe life into you and that’s so much more than enough. Your presence, your being is more than enough to make you worthy of love and care. And the second thing I’d say is, it’s okay to relax and trust. It’s okay you don’t know what lies ahead. I wish I could give you the beauty of simply knowing that it won’t look anything like you think it will but that it’s okay and it’s good. The Great God of the whole wide universe thinks you’re pretty special. Just keep getting to know Him. 

Take a deep breath. Trust God. He’s got you.” 

Sam Acho, NFL Analyst, Speaker and Author of “Change Starts With You”

“I wish I knew how much freedom comes from confession. There is freedom in bringing things to the light. Little issues, when talked about, disappear in the light. Jesus didn’t want me to stress. He wants me to have peace. He still wants me to have peace. Talk with people about what you’re struggling with. You are forgiven.” 

Rev. Diane Ury, National Ambassador for Holiness, The Salvation Army

“When I was 18 [years old], what I did know was that I was not really doing OK, even though everyone thought I was the ‘really good girl.’ I thought that if some boy would just love me, I would be fulfilled. I felt unwanted and was broken and so deeply hungry for God but had no idea how to find Him. I wish I had known that the truth about what would make me feel whole and satisfied was that I was made for belonging to Jesus, not to some guy. I wish I had known that Jesus, my Creator who sees me and knows me perfectly, wants me for His very own and that He will re-create my messed-up life, and He will never abandon me.” 

Captain Erin Wikle, Salvation Army Officer 

“I chose to major in Christian theology at a private Christian school because I thought if I knew about God, I would never stray from God. This was one of the costliest decisions I have ever made (literally and figuratively). When I was 18, I wish I knew that real proximity to God was not about my casual knowledge of Him, but about an intimate knowing of Him—the result of spending unhurried time in His presence, pursuing intimacy through prayer, worship and study of his Holy Word. This kind of ‘knowing’ (Greek: Epignowsko, Hebrew: Yada) can’t be bought, faked or forged in a classroom.” 

Seana Scott, Freelance Writer and Podcast Host

“I wish I knew that careers are a journey. I stressed way too much about picking the right major or the ‘right job’ as if I needed to do it forever. I wish I knew to start with what you enjoy, pick a path, work hard and see where it leads—and know you can always try something new. Also, skip the credit cards. Learn to live within your income is the best thing you can do for your future. The new jeans or the fun night out is not worth robbing your future of financial freedom (I got into debt, and it was HARD to crawl my way out). Finally, staying committed to my faith in Jesus would lead me in the right direction. I compromised my faith and it only led to heartbreak and regret (and there is always grace and forgiveness when we turn back to Jesus!).”