Mary Monoky speaks
Writer • Speaker • Navigating the Long Middle
Required Maintenance
A reflective look at the quiet, ongoing work of caring for a body and a life that no longer runs on autopilot, exploring maintenance as a form of presence rather than repair.
FIELD NOTES
Mary Monoky
12/1/20251 min read
Field Note : November 2,2025
It’s that time of year again—
the change of seasons.
Time to change the furnace filter,
schedule the fireplace inspection,
check the smoke alarm batteries.
Last night reminded me I’ve got my own system to maintain, too.
Up in the wee hours with stomach cramps—
the kind that make you swear off questionable food
and bad decisions.
I don’t bounce back like I used to.
Now it takes tea, patience,
and a little mercy on myself.
Required maintenance—
for both the house and the human.
And maybe a reminder
to stop eating like I’m still twenty-five.
Field Note: A little reminder that both homes and humans need care—share this with someone who could use a gentle nudge today
Share it with someone who might need a little pause, a smile, or a reminder to be gentle with themselves today.
This story lives in Compass Point 2 — Who Am I Now?
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Writing about identity, uncertainty, emotional endurance, and learning to live inside changed realities.