2018 started with Earth-Chan, Ugandan Knuckles, and eating deadly Tidepods. They represent three deadly sins - lust (for moe), pride (insisting they know da wae), and gluttony (wanting to eat the inedible) - which all lead to despair.
Now in 2019 we instead have kicked off with Choking Sasuke and Ultra Instinct Shaggy. These memes instead teach us to overcome fear and despair to grow stronger until we too are as badass as Shaggy and able to successfully choke Sasuke. They motivate us. Therefore 2019 is already better than 2018. We can only go up from here.