After navigating a period of profound personal grief and deep introspection, personal finance writer J.D. of the popular platform Get Rich Slowly has announced a major shift in focus for the upcoming year. Two months after the passing of his mother, J.D. reports that the emotional fog has finally begun to lift, leaving him motivated to reengage with his life, his health, and his work.
In a candid update shared with his readership, J.D. revealed that, in consultation with his partner Kim, he has made the decision to designate 2023 as the "Year of Me." The initiative represents a deliberate pivot toward prioritizing his own physical and mental well-being—a departure from years of putting his own needs last behind a myriad of other responsibilities and distractions.
For followers of Get Rich Slowly, the announcement marks a transparent look into the personal life of a creator known for his practical financial advice and philosophical musings. While J.D. acknowledges that putting oneself first can initially feel uncomfortable or even selfish, he emphasizes that this internal shift is ultimately designed to make him a better person for those around him, including his readers.
2023 — The Year of Me
The concept of dedicating specific spans of time to particular themes is not new to J.D. More than a decade ago, he regularly utilized thematic periods to drive personal growth, experiencing significant success when focusing his energy on areas such as fitness, writing, and dating. Although that habit eventually fell by the wayside, the underlying philosophy remained dormant until recent events prompted a reevaluation of his daily life.
Reflecting on the past several weeks of soul-searching, J.D. recognized that he had spent far too long placing himself at the bottom of his own priority list. Whether making excuses or allowing various external pressures to interfere with his health, he realized that a fundamental change was necessary. Moving forward, J.D. intends to treat his own well-being as job one, embracing the philosophy that self-care is a prerequisite for helping others.
For the community at Get Rich Slowly, J.D. reassures readers that the core experience of the site will remain largely unchanged. The transformation is primarily internal, driven by a conscious decision to grant himself permission to prioritize his own needs. This renewed focus is expected to generate fresh insights and content for the platform, while finally allowing for the completion of long-delayed site updates.
At the same time, J.D. is stepping away from rigid publishing schedules. Operating under the umbrella of his "Year of Me," he plans to write organically rather than forcing content creation. Articles will appear when inspiration strikes, reflecting a more relaxed and authentic approach to blogging that mirrors his current life phase.
The Courage to Be Disliked
During a Thanksgiving road trip to California with Kim and her family, the couple listened to The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, an audiobook that explores the psychological framework of Alfred Adler. The themes of the book resonated deeply with J.D., providing philosophical backing for his current transition.
The book, which J.D. suggests might be more accurately titled The Courage to Be Happy, introduces complex concepts regarding interpersonal relationships, self-acceptance, and personal responsibility. Written in the style of a Socratic dialogue, the work presented ideas that initially required careful consideration and explanation to fully grasp.
Intrigued by the insights gained during the drive, J.D. plans to revisit the material in Kindle format, skimming through the conversational structure to extract key takeaways. He has also floated the possibility of publishing a comprehensive review or summary of the book on Get Rich Slowly in the future as these philosophical concepts continue to influence his worldview.
A Values-Driven Life
To further illustrate the framework guiding his current decisions, J.D. pointed to a passage from Stephen R. Covey’s renowned book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which recently surfaced in his Readwise highlights. The quote contrasts reactive individuals—who are driven by passing feelings, circumstances, and environmental conditions—with proactive individuals who operate based on carefully chosen and internalized values.
Recognizing that he had temporarily lost control over his impulses while neglecting his core values, J.D. views the "Year of Me" as an opportunity to course-correct. He has already taken proactive steps to curb digital distractions by removing time-consuming applications from his iPad, setting the stage for a more deliberate, values-driven lifestyle.
While this introspection may change the rhythm and structure of his output on Get Rich Slowly, J.D. remains committed to sharing his journey with his audience. Whether through short updates, conversational reflections, or longer analytical pieces, the upcoming year promises to be a period of significant personal and professional alignment.
