Lets take a look at it before and after the nerfs :

(before)
1) 12 crystals from fates (drop rate was like 0.005%)
2) 9 Books (100 mobs, fates and most of the fates had a timer of 2 - 12 hrs, can't remember the exact number, dungeons - you weren't able to unsync or solo them)
3) Alexandrite (hated that part so much, drop rate was even worse than the fate crystals)
4) Special Items from the dungeons (the drop rate was like 1% if even, you couldn't solo the dungeon and que's could take up to 2 hrs, you wouldn't know if you got the drop till you left the dungeon)
5) Lights (do I have to say more? You gained lights in dungeons/trials/hunts/ I think there was something else too but i forgot lol, Some dungeons/trials gave you bonus but that window was only 4 hrs long, some windows were primals that a lot of people couldn't finish sucessfully, therefore you spent hrs in that trial trying to not miss out on the bonus window.)

(after the hundreds of nerfs)
1) Crystals drop rate has been increased (it's like every third fate you get one, not even kidding)
2) 9 Books but the mobs have been reduced, the fate spawn rates are reduced, dungeons can be solo'd - unsync'd, leves take 2 minutes to finish)
3) Alexandrite (old A and S ranks, most A ranks can be solo'd, maps (eso + daily map quest), fates drop rate increased)
4) Special Items from dungeons (now 100% drop rate after you finished the dungeon)
5) Lights (dungeons can be solo'd and you'll be able to gain lights, there's no reason to wait for a bonus window anymore)

Before the nerf it took 2 - 8 months depending on the player to finish the relic.
After the nerf it takes 4 - 7 hrs and that includes bathroom breaks lol.

I don't think it's hard/difficult to get the old relic, wait for the new relic that you can start at level 60. Not difficult either but super time consuming compared to the old relics (after the nerf of course)