Sabbatical

My mother died Monday night. She was 74.

Earlier this week, I began writing a memorial for her. I know I haven't talked much about Mom here at Get Rich Slowly, but she probably played the biggest role in molding me into the person I am today. After writing 2500 words, I realized I have a lot to process. And maybe Get Rich Slowly isn't the place to publish a tribute to her. I don't know.

[My mother when she was probably 15 years old]

In any event, I'm taking some time off.

For the next few weeks, I'll be dealing with the logistics of Mom's memorial service and her estate. And while I'm taking time away from Get Rich Slowly to handle these things, it feels like a good opportunity to tackle a few big projects I've been putting off — including the “de-design” of this blog.

My plan is to take a three-month sabbatical. I may indeed publish a bit here and there — and I'll regularly update the “Spare Change” section on the front page and send the GRS Insider email newsletter — but my intention right now is to step away from Get Rich Slowly until the end of the year.

I'll be back on 01 January 2023.

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There are 37 comments to "Sabbatical".

  1. Tina in NJ says 07 October 2022 at 12:05

    My condolences on the loss of your mother, JD. See you next year.

  2. Ben says 07 October 2022 at 12:56

    So sorry JD. If putting thoughts to paper to share here helps you, do it. If not, you don’t owe us anything so let whatever helps you heal the most guide the decision if I can humbly offer advice.

    • Mal says 07 October 2022 at 19:50

      So sorry to hear about your mom. Tough year for you. Best wishes to you.

  3. M says 07 October 2022 at 13:11

    So sorry to to hear about your mother. From the perspective of a random internet commenter, you’ve had a YEAR. I’m glad you’re focusing on the right things. We’ll be here when you return. Take care of yourself.

  4. Linda says 07 October 2022 at 15:42

    I am so sad for your loss. It’s hard to lose a parent. I hope your sabbatical gives you what you need to start anew in January. Happy holidays!

  5. Ben says 07 October 2022 at 17:37

    Very sorry for your loss, JD. Be well.

  6. Kristen says 07 October 2022 at 19:01

    That went so quickly. I am so sorry. My heart aches for you. Best wishes to you and all your family. Take care.

  7. Janette says 07 October 2022 at 20:51

    Sorry for your loss. Process, grieve what was and what could have been. Hugs from Idaho.

  8. Nina says 07 October 2022 at 23:51

    I am very sorry for your loss.

  9. Greg says 08 October 2022 at 04:36

    Sorry for your loss. Been a rough year. Enjoy your time off and take care of yourself.

  10. Stephen says 08 October 2022 at 06:15

    Condolences JD. The Sabbatical is a good idea and will let you focus on what is more important.

  11. One Frugal Girl says 08 October 2022 at 08:17

    Oh J.D. I’m sorry for your loss. You’ve had such a difficult year. I hope your sabbatical gives you time to reflect and get stuff done too.

  12. KellyB says 08 October 2022 at 16:15

    Sorry for your loss. Take the time you need, we’ll be here when you return.

  13. Elizabeth says 08 October 2022 at 16:25

    Sorry for your loss. Take what time you need to sort things out and to grieve. You’ve had a difficult year.

  14. Carol says 09 October 2022 at 09:05

    So sorry for your loss JD. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Hope the time off helps you heal.

  15. S says 09 October 2022 at 11:37

    So sorry for your loss. Please take care

  16. Adam says 10 October 2022 at 07:50

    Losing mom is the very worst. I’m so sorry, J.D. — we’re thinking of you, and hope the memories bring peace and comfort.

  17. Melissa C. says 10 October 2022 at 12:36

    It feels like that happened very fast, and I’m merely an outsider! You’ve had quite the year. Take care of yourself and take all the time you need to do it. We’ll be here when you’re ready. Sending you warm and healing thoughts.

  18. Brian says 10 October 2022 at 18:50

    I’m so sorry for your loss, J.D. Warm regards to you and your family.

  19. Girt says 10 October 2022 at 23:57

    So sorry to hear that JD. Take care! Thanks for letting us know what’s happened – my thoughts are with you.

    • DW says 29 October 2022 at 02:06

      JD, take the time off, you will need it. The holidays are coming and you will be reminded of the freshness of your loss. I look forward to your return in 2023.

  20. Chris says 11 October 2022 at 09:05

    J.D. I am very sorry to see this post. My sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your mom. I will offer you up in my prayers in the coming days and months as I think of you and GRS. I have been a faithful reader since 2008 and will still be here when you return. Godspeed.

  21. Joe says 11 October 2022 at 10:17

    Sorry for your loss. It’s good that you can take some time off. Best wishes.

  22. Luke says 11 October 2022 at 12:30

    Sorry for your loss, JD. Thanks for opening your world to us so we can learn from your experiences, and doing so humbly and with vulnerability, making it all the more tangible and valuable. Thanks also to your mom for helping shape who you are – everything we create contains the compounded efforts of our parents, grandparents, and all those before us.

  23. Pat says 11 October 2022 at 13:48

    I am so very sorry for your loss.

  24. Tara Y. says 11 October 2022 at 16:46

    JD, my condolences to you and your family. Wishing you peace and good health and we’ll see you in the New Year!

  25. Kim says 12 October 2022 at 16:08

    I’m so sorry for your terrible loss. Whenever you wrote about your mother it was with deep love and devotion. What a year it has been for you….Taking a sabbatical is a very healthy and wise decision. Remember to get enough sleep. Sleep is the only relief we get from grief, so sleep 10 hours a day if you want to and don’t apologize for it. See you soon.

    • J.D. Roth says 12 October 2022 at 17:28

      So strange. I just wrote to my Kim (who is out of town) that I feel so beat down. I don’t feel depressed or anything, but just completely drained. I’m super tired no matter how much I sleep. No other signs of sickness or anything like that. Just tired. (Oh, and I’m not cleaning up after myself. The house is a mess. I have no motivation to clean it.) And then I come over here to find this comment. So, yeah. Maybe I need more sleep. It’s not even six o’clock here, and I’m thinking of crawling into bed to just start over tomorrow.

      Update. Just googled some stuff. Turns out what I’m experiencing are classic (and normal) symptoms of grief. I would not have guessed that.

      • Kim says 12 October 2022 at 17:43

        Grief is the most exhausting thing ever. So yeah. Crawl in bed and get some rest, my friend.

  26. dh says 13 October 2022 at 15:39

    Don’t forget that you’ve had two major losses in relatively quick succession, with Duane. Please take care of yourself.

  27. Brooklyn Money says 25 October 2022 at 11:52

    Very sorry for your loss(es), JD. Take time to heal.

  28. Virginia Harris says 28 October 2022 at 13:59

    I’m very sorry for your loss, JD. You are right to take a sabbatical and make time to grieve. All my best.

  29. KJ says 28 October 2022 at 17:47

    I never ever post here (and my finances are a gd mess lol) but I couldn’t help but tell you how loving and thoughtful and touching today’s newsletter is, and this post, too. That’s a lovely photo of your mom. Take good care — I’m very, very sorry for your loss.

  30. Donna Freedman says 28 October 2022 at 19:53

    Hugs, friend. We’re never really ready, even if (as in both our cases) we knew this was coming soon.

  31. Karen Wheeler says 31 October 2022 at 07:12

    I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. Being in the same generation as her reminds about the seasons of life as we age. Please just take a deep breath each morning as you work through all the emotions and the challenges in the next couple months. I look forward to hearing from you again in the new year. Warmest Regards.

  32. Kristine says 31 October 2022 at 21:41

    So sorry for your loss.

  33. Adam says 24 November 2022 at 05:22

    Holidays are hard when family’s gone. I hope you have a peaceful day, J.D.

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