In a candid announcement that marks a significant pivot for the long-running personal finance platform Get Rich Slowly, founder J.D. Roth has declared that 2023 will be officially dedicated to the "Year of Me." Following a period of profound personal loss and deep introspection, the author is shifting his focus from rigid productivity cycles to a more deliberate, values-driven existence.
This transition represents a fundamental change in how Roth intends to approach both his professional obligations and his private life. For his readers, the announcement offers a rare look into the burnout that often accompanies a public-facing career, and it serves as a manifesto for those seeking to reclaim agency over their own time and mental health.
The Catalyst for Change: A Period of Mourning and Reflection
The decision to recalibrate his life follows two months of deep grieving following the death of his mother. For many, such a loss acts as a forcing function, stripping away the trivialities of daily routine to reveal what truly matters. Roth describes this period as a "fog" that obscured his motivation and professional drive.
However, as the mourning process has begun to settle, the clarity that emerged was stark: for too long, Roth had been relegating his own well-being to the bottom of his priority list. Whether due to the demands of maintaining a high-traffic website, responding to community expectations, or navigating the complexities of personal grief, the author realized he had spent years operating in a reactive state.
"I’ve spent too long putting myself second. Or third. Or ninth," Roth wrote. "No more! For the foreseeable future, J.D. is job one."
Chronology of a Paradigm Shift
The concept of "theming" years—a practice Roth popularized over a decade ago—is not new to his readers. In the past, he successfully utilized this strategy to achieve milestones in fitness, creative writing, and social development. However, after years of abandoning this habit, he is reviving it with a more personal, inward-facing focus.
- Pre-2023: A period characterized by "reactive living," where external pressures and external validation superseded personal core values.
- Late 2022 (The "Fog"): A time of grieving and soul-searching following the loss of his mother, which allowed for the initial dismantling of old, unproductive habits.
- December 2022: The official commitment to the "Year of Me," marked by specific actions such as the removal of digital distractions (Reddit, Hearthstone) and the engagement with philosophical texts like The Courage to Be Disliked.
- January 2023 and Beyond: The implementation phase, where the focus shifts from a rigid, arbitrary production schedule to a fluid, values-based output.
Philosophical Foundations: Adler and the Pursuit of Purpose
A critical turning point in Roth’s journey occurred during a holiday trip to California, where he and his partner, Kim, listened to the audiobook The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. The book, which provides a modern, accessible interpretation of Alfred Adler’s psychology, posits that individuals have the power to define their own happiness regardless of past traumas or social expectations.
The Courage to Be Happy
While the title suggests a controversial stance, the book’s central thesis—that we must have the courage to be "disliked" by others if we are to live authentically—resonated deeply with Roth. He notes that the book serves as a vital tool for those who feel trapped by the perceived expectations of their peers or audience. By internalizing these lessons, Roth is actively challenging the "people-pleasing" impulses that have dictated his professional output for years.
The Role of Proactive Values
In his pursuit of a more balanced life, Roth has turned to the work of Stephen R. Covey, specifically The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He highlights a pivotal passage:
"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."
For Roth, this distinction is the core of his new initiative. He acknowledges that he had become reactive, allowing impulses—such as the endless consumption of digital media—to override his long-term values. By systematically removing these digital temptations, he is creating the cognitive space necessary to live as a "proactive" individual once again.
Implications for the Audience and the Platform
The immediate concern for many readers of Get Rich Slowly may be the future of the platform. However, Roth is quick to clarify that this change is primarily internal. He is not shuttering the site; rather, he is changing his relationship with the act of publishing.
Abandoning the Content Treadmill
For years, digital creators have been beholden to algorithms and publishing schedules. Roth is choosing to opt-out of this cycle. He has stated that he will no longer hold himself to a rigid production schedule. If he has something of value to share, he will publish it; if not, he will remain silent.
This approach serves as a counter-narrative to the "hustle culture" that dominates personal finance blogging. By prioritizing quality of thought over the frequency of content, Roth aims to create more authentic and impactful articles, even if they arrive less predictably.
The De-design and Future Content
Part of the "Year of Me" includes the long-awaited completion of the site’s redesign. Furthermore, readers can expect a shift in tone. Rather than feeling obligated to write long, exhaustive guides on every topic, Roth intends to experiment with shorter, more conversational pieces. He notes that his recent update could have easily been split into three separate articles, but he is choosing to embrace a more spontaneous and honest format that reflects his current headspace.
The Broader Impact: A Call for Self-Prioritization
The "Year of Me" is not merely an exercise in self-indulgence. As Roth notes, it is a paradox of personal development: by taking the time to care for oneself, one becomes better equipped to serve others.
"The truth is, of course, that by putting myself first I’m almost certain to become a better person for others—including you," he writes. This sentiment echoes the psychological concept of "self-compassion," which suggests that individuals who treat themselves with kindness are more resilient, empathetic, and effective in their professional and personal relationships.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Renewal
J.D. Roth’s decision to declare 2023 the "Year of Me" serves as a poignant reminder that even those who write extensively on the mechanics of financial success are not immune to the exhaustion of modern life. His journey is a testament to the idea that life is not merely a series of tasks to be managed, but a sequence of values to be lived.
By shedding the burden of external expectations, practicing the "courage to be disliked," and realigning his daily habits with his core values, Roth is setting a precedent for his readers. Whether they choose to follow his specific path or simply take inspiration from his honesty, the message is clear: when the fog of life settles, the most important work one can do is the work of reclaiming the self.
As he continues his journey, his audience can expect a more deliberate, reflective, and perhaps more human version of the content they have followed for years. In the end, the "Year of Me" may prove to be the most valuable investment Roth has ever made.
