MY CYCLE: Writer Jonti Ridley
When she’s not writing for Fashion Journal or running the Village Tattoo. Jonti Ridley is dealing with the ebbs and flows of her cycle - just like the rest of us. We first met Jonti when she interviewed us for FJ Magazine, we bonded instantly over awkward first-period-kits, the patriarchal fuckery of periods and dreams of a post-period-shame society. So, naturally we wanted to know more about Jonti.
Name: Jonti
Pronoun: They/She/He
Occupation: Writer/Content Creator/Model/Studio Manager
Location: Naarm/Melbourne
Allow me to set the scene: Age 14-ish, family holiday to Australia (we were living in Singapore at the time) for my older brothers high school graduation, with a house filled with his close circle of graduating cohort staying the night. I didn’t tell anyone for the first 24 hours because I was so horrifically embarrassed, I was hoping it would go away if I pretended it wasn’t there (which, obviously isn’t science or reality).
My skin gets the memo first, extra sensitivity and a few patches of cystic acne to ensure I’ve gotten the message. I’m also blessed with PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PCOS (my body loves a good acronym what can I say) - which means my emotional state prior to my period is on the turbulent side. PMDD is different for everyone, but personally it pushes my mental health to the absolute extreme in the week leading up to my period.
Unfortunately there’s no specific treatment/cure for either, however reminding myself of the context of my emotions (i.e: “your period is coming, you don’t actually feel like everything in your life is the absolute pits, everything gonna be a-ok) does wonders. Additionally, giving myself permission to feel what I need to feel while focusing on responding to triggers rather than reacting has helped me navigate PMDD with more clarity - while also preventing me from blowing up my entire life in 3-4 business days.
Forty-eight hours before my period arrives, I’ll get a headache no painkiller can touch and my boobs inflate a cupsize. As inconvenient as my symptoms are, credit where credit is due, my body certainly has a clear order of operations that over the years I’ve at least learned to spot the symptoms (which is half the battle).
Early bedtimes are absolutely crucial to surviving shark week. My body is so fatigued by the process, if I don’t commit to a full 9 hours each night during my period I start to unravel at the seams. The first day of my period I order something for dinner with zero apologies, excuses or justification and I put on an animated film. As someone going through ED recovery, indulging my cravings is a treat my brain doesn’t take lightly. If I’m craving it, I’m getting it. This means I’ve started to look forward to the first night of my period (kinda sorta, we’re getting there…).
I’m not sure if I can say this, but weed is the most effective remedy for any severe mood swings throughout my period, I’ve also found it effective in cramp management. Unfortunately PCOS period pains are on the extra spicy side, so it doesn’t get rid of them completely but it does round out the sharp corners which can be a godsend if they’re keeping you up at night.
I don’t want to do a damn thing during my period. As I mentioned before I find it very fatiguing on my body, so the last thing I’m after is a brisk jog. I really want to be the kind of person who works out through their cramps but I am just not hardwired that way. I will say, committing to light yoga when I feel my muscles start to tense has helped me feel more comfortable with my body through my cycle and helped reduced stiffness (from clenching every joint I’ve got while cramping).
Because my skin gets more sensitive leading up to and during my period, I have to ease up on the actives. Which is less than ideal given the extra spots that join me for my period, but I’d rather have some zits than a chemical burn (me three years ago absolutely would have disagreed with this btw, but your moisture barrier is more important in the long term).
I strip my routine to the basics (oil cleanser, milk cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen) but keep a bottle of pure jojoba handy to slather on before bed. I also change my pillowcase at the start of my period and immediately after because I know the increase of natural oils and sweat will break me out down the line.
I’m currently reentering the dating world for the first time in 3ish years, so I’ve been trying to schedule dates around my cycle to prevent ripping a strangers head off in a PMDD-brain-snap. This is terrific in theory until the last few days of my period, and then I want to have sex with anyone and everyone.
But I can speak on behalf of my ex when I say, it can be a rollercoaster. I can only imagine the whiplash someone feels around me during my period. I’m 173cm of pure rage one minute because the mug I wanted is dirty in someone else's room, the next I’m crying because you didn’t want to watch Tangled with me at 2pm on Wednesday. A messy icon through and through.
If you’re prone to symptoms, extreme or otherwise, pre/post or during - give your partner the heads up. Understanding you might be a little more sensitive, or that your needs have shifted, will help your partner take better care of you - they’re not a mind reader. On that tangent, if you tell them about your period and their response is anything Ewwwww-adjacent - dump them.
The brain fog and the cramps definitely get in the way of my productivity, and a period on a photoshoot isn’t fun for anyone. However, I’m extremely fortunate at the moment I’m either working from home or at the studio - which is filled with fellow menstruators who understand exactly what I’m going through. Even though I might be running a little slower than I’d like, empathy is a very powerful emotion and reminds you to cut yourself some slack when you’re going through it.
Masturbating is a big one - not only does it help relieve cramps but it’s a fresh batch of happy chemicals straight to your brain. Sex is cool but a committed solo self-love session hits different.
