At 18 yo you don’t have to know what you want to do with your life, and even if you did, statistics say it would change a few times anyway. Rejection is really hard. Everyone says not to take it personally, but its hard not to.
I think you have received some good advice. Take the gap year to increase your number of applications, do something interesting to add to your application/finances, and give yourself a break. You are doing the best you can. There is no race to the finish line - take your time and do it right.
Please keep us posted.