May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but honestly, I think a lot of us are beyond “awareness.”
We are aware.
We are exhausted.
We are overstimulated.
We are trying to build meaningful lives inside systems that reward constant urgency.
So this month, I’m less interested in performative self-care and more interested in practical support:
better boundaries,
better systems,
better community,
better rest,
and technology that helps us feel more human instead of less.
What are you doing to take care of your mental health??
I think a lot of us were taught that exhaustion is proof.
Proof that we’re ambitious.
Proof that we care.
Proof that we’re doing enough.
And if we’re not overwhelmed? We start feeling guilty.
But lately I’ve been asking myself a different question:
What if ease is not laziness?
What if ease is alignment?
Not “doing nothing.”
Not checking out.
Not abandoning ambition.
I mean building a life where your nervous system is not constantly paying the bill for your success.
That’s the real shift happening for me right now.
I don’t want to build faster if it means disappearing inside my own life.
I want systems that support me.
Technology that protects me.
Community that reminds me I’m human first.
Welcome to the Ease Era.
What’s one small ease decision you can make today?
The Highlight Reel: Community Wins
The Real ROI of Soft Strategy
Inside the Synergy Squad, we’ve been having honest conversations about something that doesn’t get talked about enough:
A packed calendar is not proof that your life is working.
Rest is not a prize for burnout.
Ease is not weakness.
And some of the most powerful moves iiyou can make are quiet ones.
A lot of us are trying to unlearn survival mode in real time.
Legendary Links + Comic Book Lore
On May 2nd, we stepped offline and into the magic at the Annapolis Book Festival.
I had the honor of interviewing legendary comic colorist Matt Webb, whose work spans DC, Marvel, and countless indie projects. I wrote an introduction I was deeply proud of, talked storytelling through color, and yes… I got to hold the first appearance of Hellboy in my hands like sacred text.
ggMatt Webb and Me!!! I’m holding HELL BOY!! Photo: Will Mapp, III
Some moments remind you why analog joy still matters.
The Zo Session Changed People’s Brains a Little
I was recently invited by Karima Digital to give a Zo session to her community that sparked one of the most fascinating conversations we’ve had in a while.
Not because of hype.
Not because of “AI magic.”
But because people finally saw what it looks like when technology supports your actual life instead of demanding more from it.
We talked about persistent cloud computers, background agents, automated workflows, and building systems that quietly handle the repetitive stuff so your brain can focus on creativity, strategy, and being a person.
That’s the future I’m interested in.
Not becoming a machine.
Building tools that let us be more human.
Video Coming Soon!!
Tech That Protects You Matters More Than Tech That Impresses People
One of my favorite things I’ve built lately is my migraine tracker on Zo.
It watches atmospheric pressure changes in real time and alerts me before migraine conditions hit.
Three months. 2 migraines, where there used to be 5 per month.
That’s what excites me about this era of technology.
Not just productivity.
Not “10x optimization.”
Not pretending we’re robots.
Support.
Care.
Protection.
Relief.
The best technology should give you your life back.
I linked to my github so you can recreate this tool for your personal use.
A Mindful Moment for Aligned, Not Automated
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to use AI without losing your voice, your values, or your nervous system in the process, that’s exactly why I wrote Aligned, Not Automated.
It’s not about becoming more robotic.
It’s about building a life and business that still feels like yours.
The Path Forward: Coming Up
There are so many events coming up over the next couple of weeks and I would love to see you if you are able.
May 18 | Vibe Code & Sip — DC
Join me at Addy De La Cruz’s Vibe Connect Vibe Code & Sip event for an evening of conversation, creativity, and good people building cool things together.
May 20 | Build in Beta Kickoff
We’re officially launching our human-first AI community in partnership with The Gathering Spot DC and Zo Computer.
Yes, there will be a 60-minute open bar.
Yes, we are provisioning cloud instances live.
Yes, this is somehow both deeply nerdy and deeply sexy.
And FREE
June 4 | NYC Tech Week — Vibe Code & Sip
I’ll be facilitating a special session live at Zo Computer HQ with Vibe Connect.
Come meet thoughtful weirdos building the future with intention.
June 6 | Touch Grass and Glue Things
A soft reset for your nervous system. I am partnering with my good friend Elsie Escobar on this one.
Collage.
Journaling.
Creativity.
Community.
No performance required.
If this newsletter made you feel a little more human today, forward it to somebody you care about.
We’re building toward 2,000 subscribers and I’d love for you to be part of this strange, thoughtful little corner of the internet.
The internet feels a little better when we build it together.
Reply and share your thoughts!!!
Chat Soon!!!
Xo - Brée
Reminder I am available for speaking, podcasts, and fun! Shoot me a message!!