In a candid reflection on personal evolution and mental recovery, J.D. Roth, the long-time voice behind Get Rich Slowly, has announced a profound shift in his professional and personal trajectory. Two months following the death of his mother, Roth has emerged from a period of profound grief to announce that he is reclaiming his autonomy. His stated objective for the coming calendar year is both simple and radical: 2023 will be the "Year of Me."
This declaration marks a departure from his established rhythm of content creation and service-oriented output. By prioritizing his own physical and mental well-being, Roth intends to dismantle the cycle of reactive living that has, by his own admission, pushed his personal needs to the periphery of his life.
The Chronology of Transition: From Grief to Intentionality
The path toward this realization has been non-linear. Following the passing of his mother, Roth described a period defined by a "fog," a common psychological manifestation of bereavement that often stifles productivity and creative output. For several weeks, the focus remained on navigating loss rather than planning for the future.
However, the transition from mourning to momentum began with a period of intense, structured soul-searching. Supported by his partner, Kim, Roth began utilizing professional development frameworks—specifically the Designing Your Life curriculum—to audit his current state.
This process led to a realization that his habit of "theming" his life, a practice he abandoned over a decade ago, was necessary to restore order. Historically, Roth utilized these thematic periods to achieve specific milestones in fitness, writing, and personal growth. By re-adopting this methodology, he has effectively set a new baseline for his personal governance, choosing to prioritize his own internal landscape over the external demands of his audience.
Supporting Data: The Psychology of Self-Prioritization
The shift toward a "Year of Me" is not merely an exercise in self-indulgence; it is grounded in established psychological principles regarding sustainable high performance.
The Adlerian Influence
Central to Roth’s current transformation is the philosophy of Alfred Adler, as popularized in the book The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. The core premise of the book—and of Adlerian psychology—is that individuals possess the agency to define their own happiness, independent of the expectations or criticisms of others.
For Roth, this has been a difficult hurdle. There is a persistent cultural stigma regarding the act of putting oneself first, often mislabeled as selfishness. However, the Adlerian perspective argues that by reclaiming one’s own happiness and health, one becomes more effective, more present, and more valuable to their community. In essence, the "Year of Me" is an investment in the human capital of the writer himself, which theoretically will yield better, more authentic content for his readers in the long run.
The Covey Framework
Roth further anchors his decision in the principles of Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Specifically, he points to the distinction between "reactive" and "proactive" behavior.
- Reactive individuals: Driven by environment, fleeting feelings, and external circumstances.
- Proactive individuals: Driven by carefully selected, internalized values.
By acknowledging that he had allowed his life to become reactive—evidenced by the digital distractions of apps like Reddit and Hearthstone—Roth is now taking steps to realign his daily habits with his stated values. This transition is characterized by the physical removal of these distractions, a symbolic and literal step toward regaining cognitive control.
Official Stance: The Future of ‘Get Rich Slowly’
While the announcement carries a personal weight, Roth is quick to clarify the implications for his readership. The editorial voice of Get Rich Slowly will remain, but the mechanics of production are undergoing a significant transition.
A New Editorial Philosophy
The most notable change is the dissolution of a fixed publishing or production schedule. In the past, the site adhered to a more rigorous cadence. Under the "Year of Me" banner, Roth is shifting toward a philosophy of "permission-based publishing."
- Content Frequency: If a topic warrants discussion, it will be addressed. If not, content will not be forced.
- Content Depth: The format will likely become more conversational and modular. Roth noted that his recent updates could have easily been broken into three distinct, long-form articles, but he opted for a more fluid, organic structure.
- Design and Maintenance: A major priority for the coming year is the long-delayed "de-design" of his website, an effort to simplify his digital footprint and focus on core utility.
Roth maintains that this shift is not an abandonment of his audience, but a refinement of his relationship with them. By refusing to cater to an arbitrary schedule, he believes the quality and sincerity of his writing will improve.
Implications: The Long-Term Impact of ‘The Year of Me’
The implications of this move are twofold: they speak to the necessity of sustainable professional health and the courage required to reset one’s priorities during a time of crisis.
The Sustainability of Creators
Many content creators face burnout due to the relentless nature of the "attention economy." By explicitly rejecting the need to be "always on," Roth is positioning himself as a case study for longevity. His decision to prioritize his own mental health over the demands of the algorithm is a counter-cultural move that could serve as a template for other professionals who feel trapped by the expectations of their audience.
The Philosophical Pivot
The "Year of Me" is an admission that the most effective way to serve others is to be whole oneself. By integrating the lessons of The Courage to Be Disliked, Roth is attempting to strip away the fear of judgment. He acknowledges that he will likely be "disliked" by those who prefer a more traditional, consistent, or predictable output from his platform. However, he is choosing the "courage to be happy" over the safety of professional conformity.
In his own words, the change is internal, but the results will be visible. By subordinating his impulses to his values, he is attempting to move from a state of being "driven by conditions" to a state of being "driven by intent."
As 2023 unfolds, readers of Get Rich Slowly can expect a shift in tone—a move toward the personal, the intentional, and the occasionally spontaneous. Whether this "Year of Me" evolves into a permanent shift in his lifestyle remains to be seen, but the initial steps taken by Roth suggest a man who is no longer willing to wait for the world to define his success. For J.D. Roth, the most important project of the coming year is not his website, his finances, or his audience; it is the person behind the screen.
