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Merlin Röhl

@merlin.rohl

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Playing football, taking pictures and trying to do it consciously.

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Grateful for everyone who was part of this special evening. by @merlin.rohl

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3 days ago

Education is everything to me.

It is where our view of the world begins. It is the point where we can change things. It decides whether we can live and function together as human beings. It decides whether we are able to sense and feel the things that bring harm to the world. And whether we are able to stand up against them. I am not talking about piling up huge amounts of knowledge in specialised fields, or about owning something to put yourself above others. I am talking about the awareness that comes from education. Our ability to notice and feel how everyday things own and control us. How we are numbed and do not fight back. Education creates awareness and understanding, and it awakens our passion to live and to experience life.

With my photobook I am supporting the Everton Multi-Academy Trust. A large part of the proceeds goes directly to the network to support the schools that are part of the programme. My time with the children has motivated and inspired me to draw attention to how important these foundations are for everything that happens out there. by @merlin.rohl

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14 days ago

So grateful for my first pre-season with Everton. Gratitude is such a powerful thing in life that can change your perspective on so many things and can truly help to elevate how life feels. Even though I’m living my absolute dream life, I need to remind myself to be fully grateful for what is happening in the present moment. It’s really remarkable that our mind will always keep looking for something negative. But in the past year I’ve found it fulfilling to keep coming back to the feeling of gratitude. by @merlin.rohl

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2 months ago

Pre-Season in Germany by @merlin.rohl

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2 months ago

Pre-Season in Scotland by @merlin.rohl

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3 months ago

Is our world full of freedom, joy, positivity and hope, or full of rules, fear, pressure and addictions? I think that is a question most people will answer differently. Everyone has their own perception and their own idea of how things are, or how things should be.

I don’t think I know what freedom is. But when I play football, I feel a glimpse of what I think, or what I hope, freedom is. Not often, but sometimes I get it. I just feel the ball, see everything around me, think clearly and I am purely in the moment. I am looking forward to playing again and to enjoying what I love. Trying not to search for that feeling, and just letting it happen.

The kids that I photographed, I think I can feel a little bit of that freedom when I look them in the eyes. And I hope they will have that feeling for a long time.

What is freedom for you? Be free and share your thoughts. by @merlin.rohl

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3 months ago

Who hasn’t had those days where we’ve spent hours on social media and don’t even remember what we actually looked at. And afterwards we feel tired, unbalanced, and rarely more inspired.
Six years ago, a friend came to me and told me how deleting social media changed his life. How he started to perceive life more consciously again, to think more clearly, not to be influenced by external hater comments or comments that praised him to the skies. The feeling of missing out was replaced by asking questions and having deeper conversations with friends – and it filled his life with new joy.

I saw these changes from the outside and was inspired to follow his path. But it turned out to be considerably more difficult than I had thought. Simply deleting my account and perceiving life differently was a great challenge that I severely underestimated and that still demands a lot from me today.

What followed were months and years of deleting and installing the app. The feeling of missing out when others talked about posts they had seen. And there was a big space that had to be filled. Again and again, the impulse came to numb myself with short content and to fill this emptiness. I found more closeness with the people around me. I deepened my interest in our societal behavioural patterns. I engaged more with my insecurities and my interests. The first coffee in the morning had a new taste, because I wasn’t scrolling at the same time. And above all. I began to live my own stories instead of consuming the ones of others.

And I felt more ready since then, to grow in the real world and to face challenges. Among them, the challenge of coming to England and growing as a person and as a footballer.

Now I am writing this text and I know I will post it on social media. Two years ago I discovered photography for myself, and I wanted to share these photos. I don’t use the platform myself anymore – friends of mine post and manage my account, after we talked about it together. And still, I want to create awareness around this and share my story. Everyone walks their own path and at their own pace. I don’t want to push anyone with words or pretend to know what is right. by @merlin.rohl

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4 months ago

Snapshots from April by @merlin.rohl

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5 months ago

Coincidence and luck define our lives in so many ways.

I am so grateful for the coincidences and the luck that have allowed me to play in this beautiful stadium.
For this great club.
In front of the eyes of our passionate fans.
In the best league in the world.

So many things that I could not control, and yet here I stand, living my dream of playing in the Premier League. I know what a privilege that is and how many people never had or still don’t have the opportunities, due to physical circumstances, difficult family situations or bad luck at the wrong moment. Coincidence can also take a great deal away from you.

I cherish this opportunity and have so much respect for everyone who has had to overcome truly difficult obstacles and has experienced strokes of fate. The different starting points in life that people have make me incredibly thoughtful.

I hope that in an age full of greed and envy, shaped by wars and a growing gap between rich and poor, we can once again focus more on community. And together find solutions for how we can give as many people as possible the chance to live a fulfilling life and to pursue their dreams. by @merlin.rohl

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6 months ago

Snapshots from March by @merlin.rohl

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7 months ago

Finch Farm x Lark Lane by @merlin.rohl

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8 months ago

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9 months ago