For many followers of the personal finance community, J.D. Roth is synonymous with discipline, steady progress, and the philosophy of Get Rich Slowly. However, the man behind the brand recently revealed that even the most disciplined among us must occasionally pause to recalibrate. In a candid update to his readers, Roth has announced a profound shift in his approach to both life and work: 2023 will be officially designated as “The Year of Me.”
Following a period of intense personal grieving—specifically the loss of his mother two months ago—Roth describes a period of emerging from a fog. His announcement is not merely a lifestyle adjustment; it is a fundamental pivot toward self-prioritization, designed to restore his mental and physical well-being.
The Chronology of a Shift
The journey to this decision was not sudden, though it feels like a turning point.
- Pre-2012: Roth established a successful tradition of “theming” his years, a practice that yielded measurable success in areas ranging from physical fitness to professional output.
- The Interim Period: Over the last decade, this practice fell into disuse. Roth admits that he gradually moved himself to the periphery of his own life, prioritizing external obligations and the needs of others over his own health and growth.
- Late 2022: The passing of his mother acted as a catalyst for deep soul-searching. This period of mourning forced a confrontation with the reality of his current state.
- November 2022: A trip to California with his partner, Kim, provided the space to engage with philosophical texts, most notably The Courage to Be Disliked, which helped solidify his intention for the coming year.
- January 2023: The official commencement of “The Year of Me,” marked by a public declaration of his intent to place his own needs at the forefront of his decision-making process.
The Philosophy of Self-Prioritization
Roth’s declaration that he is entering an "age of selfishness" is tempered by a mature understanding of psychology. He acknowledges that the word "selfish" carries a negative stigma, yet he argues that it is a necessary corrective measure for someone who has spent years neglecting his own foundational needs.
"The truth is that by putting myself first, I am almost certain to become a better person for others," Roth writes. This mirrors the classic "oxygen mask" metaphor often cited in psychological literature: one must secure their own well-being before they can effectively assist others. By reclaiming his time and energy, Roth expects his professional output—though less frequent—to be more authentic and impactful.
Drawing from Stoic and Modern Psychology
A significant portion of Roth’s recent development has been influenced by his engagement with The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. The book, which translates the complex, often misunderstood theories of Alfred Adler into a Socratic dialogue, has provided Roth with a framework for shedding the weight of external expectations.
The core lesson of the text—and one that Roth is currently integrating into his life—is the distinction between "task separation." According to Adlerian psychology, individuals often suffer because they take on the problems of others as their own. By learning to discern which tasks belong to him and which belong to the world, Roth aims to liberate himself from the pressures that have previously caused him to deviate from his values.
Supporting Data and Evidence
While the shift is personal, it is supported by established behavioral science. Roth’s reference to Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People highlights the difference between being "reactive" versus "proactive."
"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."
Roth’s decision to uninstall distracting applications like Reddit and Hearthstone serves as a practical implementation of this principle. By removing environmental triggers that encourage impulsive behavior, he is creating the cognitive space necessary to live according to his stated values. This is an application of "choice architecture," where one designs their surroundings to nudge them toward the desired behavior.
Implications for the Get Rich Slowly Community
Readers of Get Rich Slowly often look to Roth for consistent, high-frequency financial guidance. The most immediate implication of his announcement is a departure from that traditional editorial schedule.
A New Editorial Standard
Roth has explicitly stated that he will no longer hold himself to a rigid publishing cadence. He is moving away from force-fed content in favor of a model where he writes only when he has something meaningful to say. While some might view this as a potential decline in engagement, it likely signals an increase in the quality of the content produced.
The site itself is also undergoing a "de-design," a process aimed at simplifying the user experience and stripping away the unnecessary complexities that have accumulated over the years. This mirrors his internal state: a move toward essentialism.
The Impact on Quality and Longevity
The decision to stop forcing content creation is a vital strategy for preventing burnout, a common occupational hazard for content creators. By prioritizing his own needs, Roth is arguably ensuring the long-term sustainability of his work. If he remains energized and aligned with his values, the longevity of his platform is better secured than if he were to continue producing content while in a state of emotional depletion.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
J.D. Roth’s "Year of Me" is more than a New Year’s resolution; it is a calculated retreat into self-mastery. By acknowledging his recent struggles and utilizing the philosophical tools provided by authors like Kishimi, Koga, and Covey, he is taking an intentional step toward living a life driven by values rather than impulses.
For his readers, this shift invites a change in expectations. It encourages the audience to value quality over quantity and to understand that the individuals they follow—even those who teach them about wealth—are human beings who must periodically stop to reset. As Roth embarks on this year of focus, he provides a valuable lesson: sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for your work, your finances, and your community is to prioritize your own recovery and alignment.
The "Year of Me" is not an end to the mission of Get Rich Slowly; rather, it is a necessary recalibration to ensure that the mission remains grounded in the authentic, healthy, and values-driven life of its founder. As he continues to explore Designing Your Life exercises and re-engage with the wisdom of Adler, it is likely that his readers will find his future output to be more resonant, thoughtful, and, ultimately, more valuable.
