“Even sweetness can scratch the throat, grandma said, so stir the sugar well.” – Ocean Vuong in “Notebook Fragments”
The thing is, I don’t like sugar in my coffee.
But, I was taught recently that a spoonful of sugar in the pot — if you do it Turkish style — makes the final product creamier, frothier, tastier. I have to admit, he’s right.
2018 had its sweet moments, but I didn’t always stir well. Sometimes the crystals tickled, other times they scratched at something deeper.
Ah, it’s 2019, you say? Tis the season to reflect on all the sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami, (etc.) of 2018 then! And if I’m good at anything it’s being in my own head too much.
This year had the added benefit of electronic journal entries to easily review (compared to past years when I swore by pocket-sized, hand-written notebooks).
What did I learn?
-
I worry a fuck ton (about money, what to do in life, what is meaningful to me, etc.). I tend to be hard on myself
-
Climbing is hella fun. Traveling is hella fun. Simplifying my life was hella chill. Pursuing what struck me as genuinely interesting was… hella cool
-
I want to build a life with someone. I seek love and connection. I want security in a relationship
-
Time spent with others is one of the most important treasures
-
When I am acting cold, there is something I am avoiding
-
I need to be more honest with myself (the easiest person to fool is, well, yourself). As an extension I need to communicate doubts and concerns more often (be more honest with others)
-
I am prone to fixate on what is not working
-
I miss building something. I long for the creativity and strategy of creation. Doing originative, self-expressive work each day is important
-
Commitment is a weakness (in relationships and projects). I’m prone to give up too soon
-
I am full of contradictions (enjoy travel and also want to be a part of communities, seek novelty and also want to build something meaningful)
-
I want to use my writing as an opening up of sorts, for myself and others; To provide a place for readers to feel comfortable exploring self-doubt, to introspect, to question, and to face uncertainty. I want the reader to feel connected, as if they are talking with a kindred spirit
-
I aim to give more of myself to others in 2019 because I feel I’m operating from a more secure and self-understand place
It may sound as if I’m being a bit salty (I forgot, you need to add the lightest pinch of salt to the pot too), however 2018 was an undeniably sweet year.
Now to you, what did you learn in 2018?
Aaron Gerry 
One thought on “The Sweet and Salty of 2018: Reflecting on a Year of Love and Travel”