Ruesha Littlejohn is taking unemployment on the chin; her new favourite motto is 'get comfortable being uncomfortable'.
In May, it was announced that the Irish footballer would be departing Crystal Palace at the end of the 2025-26 season, having made just seven appearances across all competitions.
Rather than panicking and landing herself at a club that wouldn't be her first choice, Ruesha is relishing in the time away from her professional career.
On Wednesday, Ruesha, who split from Katie McCabe in 2023, shared a glimpse into unemployed life, which consists of 'a bit of everything, but this is what my days look like at the moment'.
'Lots of change, a few unknowns, new opportunities, big decisions, and trying to work out what this next chapter looks like,' she told her followers. Football has been such a huge part of my life for so long, but it’s been nice exploring other things, and I’ll keep ticking over cause why not!
'Not quite sure what I’m doing half the time, but we’re getting there. My fav saying: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable". Let’s enjoy the ride.'
In September, Ruesha gave an update on unemployment, joking that 'squeaky bum time just got even squeakier'.
'I thought, "We're on to something here", but before I could even pack my bag, get in my car, and drive to the training ground, it fell through. Just like that,' she admitted.
'So naturally, I've done what any sane 36-year-old international women's footballer would do: I kept myself busy; I kept myself active.'
Ruesha revealed that she was hitting up the driving range because there's 'probably' an opportunity to get better at precision, but with football, there's a 'sell-by date'.
'When you're 30, you're f***ed. But we will not be defeated yet,' Ruesha continued. 'I just think there's something so beautiful about a grown woman that should probably have a job or should probably have children, that she is just still showing up and getting humiliated.
'But I think somewhere down the line, this will come in handy,' she said. 'This has got to do with resilience and about getting bullet, bullet, bullet, bullet, bullet, and still showing up.'
'For anyone who's out there having a s**** time, you too can be taking bullets left, right, and centre, but keep showing up because the bullets will stop,' Ruesha assured.
'Maybe the football's not meant to be the one, but it's not over 'til it's over. We keep going, we keep fighting.'
Katie McCabe on the verge of making Irish football history
