By Editorial Staff
For years, the digital landscape has known J.D. Roth as a beacon of financial prudence and disciplined living through his influential platform, Get Rich Slowly. However, behind the screen, the architect of this community has been navigating a period of profound personal upheaval. Two months following the passing of his mother—a loss that left him adrift in what he describes as a “fog”—Roth has emerged with a bold, paradigm-shifting resolution: 2023 will be defined as “The Year of Me.”
This declaration marks a significant pivot in both his professional output and his personal philosophy. By prioritizing his own physical and mental well-being over external expectations, Roth is initiating a radical experiment in self-prioritization, one that challenges the very concept of the “hustle” culture he once helped cultivate.
The Catalyst for Change: A Season of Reflection
The timeline of this transformation began in the immediate aftermath of his mother’s death. For several weeks, Roth retreated from his usual analytical rhythm, engaging in a period of intense, often painful, soul-searching. This was not merely a reaction to grief, but a realization that his identity had become fragmented by the competing demands of work, audience expectations, and external pressures.
The Chronology of Re-alignment
- Late 2022: The passing of Roth’s mother initiates a period of mourning and professional stagnation.
- November 2022: During a trip to California, Roth and his partner, Kim, immerse themselves in the philosophies found in Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga’s The Courage to Be Disliked.
- December 2022: Roth formally adopts the framework of “The Year of Me,” aiming to move from a reactive state—driven by circumstance—to a proactive state—driven by core values.
- January 2023: Implementation of digital boundaries, including the removal of distracting applications (Reddit, Hearthstone) to reclaim cognitive agency.
“I’ve spent too long putting myself second,” Roth noted in a recent dispatch to his readers. “Or third. Or ninth.” This admission highlights a common struggle among content creators and public figures: the tendency to become a servant to one’s audience at the expense of one’s own equilibrium.
The Philosophy of "The Year of Me"
The concept of “theming” one’s life is not new to Roth; he famously employed this technique over a decade ago to achieve breakthroughs in fitness, writing, and social life. However, “The Year of Me” differs in scope. It is not a goal-oriented project—it is a reclamation of self.
Redefining Selfishness
Roth acknowledges the discomfort that the word “selfish” carries. In a society that rewards self-sacrifice, prioritizing one’s own health can feel like a moral failing. Yet, Roth posits that this is a misconception. Drawing on the principles of Adlerian psychology—popularized by The Courage to Be Disliked—he argues that genuine service to others is only sustainable when the individual is grounded in their own well-being.
“The truth is, by putting myself first, I am almost certain to become a better person for others,” he writes. This sentiment echoes the classic “oxygen mask” analogy often used in leadership training: you cannot be effective for your community if you are depleted yourself.
Theoretical Frameworks: Insights from Adler and Covey
To sustain this shift, Roth is leaning heavily on established literature that emphasizes the separation of tasks and the importance of values-driven action.
Adlerian Psychology and "The Courage to Be Disliked"
The book The Courage to Be Disliked has become a foundational text for this new chapter. The core premise—that we are not determined by our past, but by the meanings we give to it—has provided Roth with the tools to navigate his grief. The Socratic dialogue format of the book has encouraged him to stop seeking external validation and to focus on the internal consistency of his actions.
The Covey Principle: Proactivity vs. Reactivity
Roth cited a seminal passage from Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as the guiding star for his transition:
"The ability to subordinate an impulse to a value is the essence of a proactive person. Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment. Proactive people are driven by values—carefully thought about, selected, and internalized values."
By his own admission, Roth had allowed his impulses—such as the passive consumption of social media and gaming—to supersede his values. By removing these digital distractions, he is moving away from a “reactive” existence toward a life dictated by his internal moral compass rather than his environment.
Implications for the Get Rich Slowly Community
The most pressing question for the loyal readership of Get Rich Slowly is: What happens to the content?
The End of the Production Treadmill
Roth has announced the suspension of any formal publishing or production schedule. For a site that has thrived on consistency, this is a major departure. However, the intent is not to shutter the platform, but to restore its integrity. By refusing to “force” content, Roth aims to ensure that when he does publish, it is born of genuine insight rather than the demands of an editorial calendar.
The "De-design" and Future Content
The site is currently undergoing a "de-design"—a stripping away of unnecessary complexities to reflect a more minimalist, intentional philosophy. Readers can expect:
- Conversational Updates: Shorter, more frequent, and more personal reflections.
- Deep Dives: The return of longer, focused articles, but only when the subject matter warrants a comprehensive treatment.
- Book Reviews: A focus on the intellectual underpinnings of his journey, including potential in-depth summaries of the works that are shaping his current worldview.
A Broader Trend in Personal Development
J.D. Roth’s transition is emblematic of a broader movement among digital thought leaders. As the burnout rate for content creators reaches an all-time high, many are finding that the traditional metrics of success—frequency of posts, engagement numbers, and relentless growth—are incompatible with long-term human flourishing.
By framing his transition as a public experiment, Roth is inviting his audience to evaluate their own lives. He is not just telling his readers how to manage their money; he is demonstrating how to manage their existence.
Moving Forward: The Commitment to Sustainability
The "Year of Me" is not an abdication of responsibility, but an invitation to redefine what it means to be responsible. For Roth, the immediate future involves:
- Mindfulness: Continued engagement with exercises like those found in Designing Your Life.
- Selective Engagement: Prioritizing high-value interactions over the “noise” of the digital ecosystem.
- Authenticity: A commitment to transparency regarding his mental health and the challenges of the creative process.
As Roth continues to navigate this new chapter, his audience remains a witness to a rare professional evolution: the transformation of a brand from a tool of commerce into a laboratory for human growth. Whether this will lead to a new, more sustainable model for digital publishing remains to be seen, but the intent is clear. The “Year of Me” is a declaration that the person behind the brand is no longer willing to be the cost of doing business.
For the subscribers and followers of Get Rich Slowly, the lesson is clear: true wealth is not just found in the balance sheet, but in the alignment of one’s daily actions with their deepest values. In prioritizing himself, J.D. Roth may finally be offering his most valuable piece of advice yet.
