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 his intention to dedicate the upcoming calendar year to his own personal and professional reclamation. Following a period of profound grief and introspection, Roth is shifting his focus away from the relentless output of content production and toward a philosophy of self-prioritization—a move he calls “The Year of Me.”
This decision, while personal in nature, carries broader implications for the creator economy, highlighting the tension between the demands of audience engagement and the necessity of mental health.
The Catalyst for Change: Navigating Grief and Reflection
The genesis of this shift lies in the wake of a deeply challenging period for Roth. Two months after the passing of his mother, the creator found himself emerging from a period of emotional stagnation. This interval of mourning served as a catalyst for a broader assessment of his life’s trajectory.
"The fog has finally lifted," Roth noted in his announcement, describing a newfound motivation to move forward. However, the path forward is not merely about returning to work; it is about fundamentally restructuring how that work relates to his personal identity. After decades of professional service—often placing his own needs at the periphery—Roth has concluded that 2023 must be reclaimed as a year dedicated to his own well-being.
Chronology of a Paradigm Shift
To understand the significance of this move, one must look at the evolution of Roth’s relationship with goal-setting:
- The Early Years (Pre-2010): Roth pioneered the use of "theming" his time. By dedicating specific months or years to singular pursuits—such as fitness, writing, or dating—he found consistent success. This period solidified his reputation as a methodical, growth-oriented practitioner of personal development.
- The Middle Period: Over the last decade, the practice of theming fell by the wayside as the professional demands of Get Rich Slowly scaled. Roth acknowledges that he increasingly relegated his own physical and mental health to "ninth place" behind the needs of the business and his audience.
- The November Turning Point: During a trip to California, a combination of long-form reflection and the consumption of philosophical literature—specifically The Courage to Be Disliked—provided the intellectual framework for his new approach.
- The Present Day: Roth has begun the active process of stripping away digital distractions, including the removal of time-consuming applications like Reddit and Hearthstone, marking the official commencement of his "Year of Me."
Supporting Data: The Philosophy of Proactivity
Roth’s pivot is not rooted in mere whimsy; it is anchored in established psychological frameworks. Central to his transition is the influence of Alfred Adler’s psychology, as popularized in the book The Courage to Be Disliked. The text posits that many individuals suffer because they are overly concerned with the validation of others, a state of being that often leads to burnout and a loss of personal agency.
Furthermore, Roth points to a seminal concept from Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: the ability to subordinate an impulse to a value.
The Value-Driven Hierarchy
- Impulse Control: Roth is moving away from reactive behaviors (scrolling, gaming) that have cluttered his environment.
- Internalization of Values: By selecting and refining his core values, he aims to replace fleeting emotional reactions with structured, intentional living.
- The "Year of Me" Metric: Success in 2023 will not be measured by article count or site traffic, but by the degree to which his daily life aligns with his identified core values.
Official Stance: The "Get Rich Slowly" Future
For the regular readers of Get Rich Slowly, the change may manifest as a departure from the traditional, high-frequency publishing schedule. Roth has been explicit in his new operating procedure: he will no longer force content production. If he has a genuine insight to share, he will publish; if not, the silence will be intentional.
Implications for the Creator Economy
Roth’s decision offers a unique case study in the sustainability of content creation. For years, the industry has prioritized the "algorithm" and the "content calendar." Roth’s move challenges these norms by suggesting that the most valuable content is often that which is born from an authentic, well-rested, and self-actualized creator.
- Audience Engagement: By prioritizing quality and personal resonance over volume, Roth expects that the nature of his writing will improve, even if the frequency decreases.
- Productivity vs. Presence: The decision to abandon strict production schedules is a direct rebellion against the "hustle culture" that dominates personal finance blogging.
- The "De-design" Project: Despite the shift in philosophy, Roth maintains that he will continue the "de-design" of his website, viewing the simplification of his digital architecture as an extension of the simplicity he seeks in his personal life.
A Deeper Look at the Philosophical Underpinnings
The core of this transition is the belief that self-prioritization is not synonymous with selfishness. In fact, Roth argues that he is likely to become a more effective contributor to his community by first securing his own foundation.
"The truth is, by putting myself first, I’m almost certain to become a better person for others—including you," Roth stated. This echoes the "oxygen mask" principle often cited in psychology: one must attend to their own needs to possess the capacity to assist others effectively.
This move is also a rejection of "reactive living." Many digital creators find themselves tethered to the whims of their audience or the fluctuating metrics of their platforms. By declaring himself "job one," Roth is effectively reclaiming the autonomy that initially drew him to independent publishing.
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
As 2023 progresses, the Get Rich Slowly audience can expect a shift in tone. The blog will likely transition into a more conversational, essay-driven space. While some may view the reduction in output as a decline, others will recognize it as a maturation of the creator-reader relationship.
Roth’s journey from grief to a "Year of Me" serves as a poignant reminder that personal finance is, at its heart, about the management of one’s most precious resource: time. By aligning his actions with his values rather than his impulses, J.D. Roth is attempting to set a new standard for what it means to be a "highly effective person" in the digital age.
Whether this transition results in a permanent change to the platform or simply a necessary sabbatical remains to be seen. However, for now, the message is clear: the pursuit of wealth, while important, is secondary to the pursuit of a life well-lived. As Roth concludes, "I’m giving myself permission to put my needs and desires ahead of everything else for 2023." For a man who has spent years helping others achieve financial freedom, this final act of self-empowerment may be his most valuable contribution yet.
