16 Stories, 16 Lessons, 30 Days of Posting on LinkedIn: What have I learnt?

I had this idea to do a 100 days storytelling challenge and post about it everyday on LinkedIn. After a month of creating and posting daily on LinkedIn, I decided to cut the challenge short when I came to these important realisation:

Putting pressure on yourself to always create or show up can eventually lead to burnout.

As a creative, I’ve learned that quality will always outweigh quantity. Some of my best work wasn’t born out of rushing to meet a daily deadline—it came when I gave myself the time and space to create intentionally.

Of course, showing up matters. If you don’t share your work, how will anyone see it? But here’s the truth:
✨ Your worth as a creative isn’t measured by likes, followers, or how many times you post.
✨ It’s measured by the authenticity of your work and the joy you put into creating it.

The key is balance. Understand what rhythm works best for you. Show up consistently, yes—but don’t mistake consistency for exhausting yourself.

Creativity thrives not under pressure, but under purpose.

Here are 16 of my favourite stories from this challenge.

Day 1

I was out for a walk in the park with my camera in hand, no agenda, just open to inspiration.

I noticed a family playing chess in the park, which attracted my curiosity- as I have always had a fascination for the game. I walked over and watched as they played. Having no understanding of the game of chess, all I could do was observe their body language and this, I found truly intriguing.

The husband looked tensed, clearly loosing, fewer pieces on the board and his frustration was showing. His wife on the other hand, sat confidently, calm with a smile on her face and their little daughter (probably 7 or 8yrs old) supporting and cheering her mother on while helping move the pieces on the board.

Then, in a sudden moment, the husband picked up a piece and declared, "I'm changing strategy".

Chess I may not understand, but body language? body language don't lie and within 10mins after declaring he was changing strategy- the table turned.

I noticed the wife started loosing her pieces, she suddenly looked tense and on her feet, while the husband now danced around in a teasing gesture.

I didn't stay to see who won. I didn't need to. The shift of event was enough to leave me smiling and inspired.

It reminded me of something powerful:Even when the odds are stacked against you, sometimes all it takes is-
One bold step.
One decision.
One shift in perspective.
And everything can turn around.

The board may seem overwhelming, the pieces fixed in place, but strategy- and ultimately legacy- is built one move at a time.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (50mm Fujinon lens)

Day 2

A self-portrait of my 3-year-old son and me. He’s holding onto me tightly, smiling with that curious look in his eyes, while peeking into the camera I’m holding. I originally wanted to take a photo of him, but instead he ran to me and said ”mama, I want to see too!“.

Now this, was how we ended up with a mirror selfie and not a solo shot of my boy.

But what struck me most about this moment is how attentive he is. He’s watching closely, not just the camera, but everything we do.

As parents, we quickly realize—our children don’t just listen to what we say. They watch what we do. They absorb our habits, our attitudes, our ways of responding to life. In his curiosity, I see a mirror of myself: observant, fascinated by details, eager to understand.

And it made me reflect: isn’t this the same with legacy, even outside of parenting?

As leaders, creators, entrepreneurs—people are watching us. Our teams, our clients, our communities. They notice the choices we make, the way we show up, the standards we set.

Legacy isn’t just about the big things we build. It’s about the small, consistent actions that inspire others to follow, learn, and carry the torch forward.

So today, this photo reminds me:
👉 What we model matters—at home, in business, in society. Someone is always watching, learning, and imitating.

The question is: What are we teaching them through the way we live and lead?

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (50mm Fujinon lens)

Day 3

Today, I set out to the park with my son, and decided to take my camera with me. On our way, this sleek Porsche caught my eye. The design immediately spoke to me—the lines, the detail, the craftsmanship. As a photographer with a love for design and automotive, I couldn’t just walk past it.

But then I was with my son who was already impatient to get to the park. I thought to myself— on our way back I’ll try to take the shot. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of regret if I didn’t take the shot, so I pleaded with my son for his patience. Luckily he was carried away in fascination staring at the car and was happy for us to stay just a little bit longer.

Seconds later, after I had grabbed the shots I wanted. The owner walked over, got into the car, and drove away. Had I waited, the moment would have been gone.

It reminded me of something important:
Opportunities don’t always announce themselves. They appear, quietly and briefly, and we have to decide whether to act or to let them pass.

Sometimes the difference between regret and gratitude is simply choosing to act in the moment.

👉 What opportunity is waiting for you to take the shot today?



Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (50mm Fujinon lens)

Day 4

Today’s weather forecast looked promising but only for a short window of time. So I thought to myself— I’m going to try some self-portraits today.

I had no extra equipments at home, just my camera, lenses and tripod stand. Looked around noticing the direction of the light coming from the window, which also meant I’ll be limited to how much I could move and pose in order to get good lighting on my face.

A reflector would have been very helpful in this situation but unfortunately I was also limited to how I could make it useful.

After several trials to capture a decent self-portrait I wasn’t getting the result I wanted because I kept getting harsh shadow cast down my neck. For a perfectionist like myself and someone who holds her work to a high standard, this just wasn’t doing it for me.

I could feel the frustration setting in and if there’s something I’ve come to learn since starting photography— it’s to never force or try to control creativity.

So I said to myself— just go with the flow Faith. If it works it works, if not, you can try something else.

At this point I stopped chasing perfection, I grabbed the curtains and started to play around with it, took a couple of shots, checked them and surprisingly I loved the results. I also noticed I had solved the problem to the harsh shadow cast down my neck and captured portraitsi actually loved.

Here’s one of my favourites from today’s self-portrait session.

This moment reminded me of something important—not only in photography, but in life and work too:
👉 Sometimes chasing perfection holds us back. But when we loosen our grip, experiment, and let creativity flow, the unexpected often becomes our best work.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon lens)

Day 5

Today while I was cooking, my 3 years old came to me with his little request: “Mama, clean my nose.”

My hands were busy, and his father was right there, ready to help. So I encouraged him to go to his dad instead.

But he refused. He didn’t want anyone else—he wanted me and he said to me— I’ll wait!

So he waited. Patiently. He stood by my side, then sat at my feet, determined not to give up until I gave in. While I dragged on, pleading and explaining to him why he should let his father do the cleaning, silently hoping for a breakthrough where he would finally agree to allowing someone else assist him with this special attention.

He waited, just like he said he would, and kept repeating— No mama I want you to do it.

Eventually, I did. I paused, washed my hands, and cleaned his nose. His smile said it all: persistence had paid off.

It made me reflect: isn’t this the same with having a dream or a goal in life? We have to want it deeply, be stubborn enough to pursue it, and patient enough to wait for it.

Everything unfolds in stages. The question is—are we willing to walk the mile?

Day 6

Today’s story and lesson? A reminder that we are all travellers in this world.

Just because someone else is ahead of you on the road doesn’t mean you’re behind. You’re simply headed somewhere different.

✨ Stay focused on your own destination. Celebrate your lane, your milestones, and your journey.

👉🏾The everyday is never empty. Look closely, and you’ll always find a story worth learning from.


Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (50mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 7

Today, as I was packing my son’s suitcase for our family holiday—folding clothes, thinking of the weather, the activities, the surprises we can’t predict—I found myself not just packing for what we’ll need, but also for the unexpected.

And it made me reflect: isn’t this exactly what managing a business or building a brand requires?

The ability to anticipate, plan ahead, and prepare for the things no one sees coming.

Yet here’s the irony:
Mothers, who master this skill daily, are often underestimated when they return to the corporate world. Too often, they’re seen as a liability rather than as the leaders they’ve already proven themselves to be.

But motherhood, in many ways, is leadership training in its purest form.
• It requires strategic thinking: planning ahead while staying adaptable.
• It requires emotional intelligence: leading with empathy, patience, and grace.
• It requires resilience: navigating chaos without losing sight of what matters most.

If you ask me, these are not just “parenting skills”—they are critical leadership qualities our world and workplaces need more of today.

So the next time we think about leadership pipelines, talent development, or what it takes to run an empire—let’s not overlook the very people who are already doing it daily, often without acknowledgment: Mothers.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (50mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 8

One man’s inconvenience… another man’s inspiration.

Some people might see rain, storm, or moody weather as an inconvenience, a reason to frown or complain. But to me, it is atmospheric, it’s inspirational like the perfect prelude to the adventures and moments waiting to be captured through out our stay in the Netherlands.

It reminded me of something simple but profound:
One person’s “Oh no, not again” can be another person’s “This is perfect.”

Perspective changes everything. What matters isn’t what the day brings—it’s how we choose to see it.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 9

The Power of Slowing Down

This morning, as I stepped out onto the balcony of our holiday apartment and watched the day quietly unfold.

The beach stretched out in front of me. The sky was gray, but the clouds moved like a curtain, gently unveiling the day. Listening to the sounds of the birds, the calming waves of the sea, and just embracing it one moment at a time—there was no rush. Just presence.

It reminded me how rare these moments have become.

We live in a world that celebrates speed—quick results, instant responses, constant motion. But in the pursuit of “what’s next,” we often miss the beauty of what’s now.

Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. It means allowing space for reflection, creativity, and renewal. It’s in these pauses that clarity comes—and often, our best ideas too.

So here’s a gentle reminder: success isn’t just about moving fast. It’s about knowing when to slow down, breathe, and embrace the moment right in front of you.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 10

We Travel So Life Doesn’t Escape Us

I came across a quote recently that stayed with me:
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

As I sat on a tour boat in Amsterdam, gliding through the canals and taking in the city’s quiet beauty, I found myself reflecting on those words.

Having lived on different continents and traveled widely, I’ve come to realize that travel is not about running away. It’s about leaning in. About expanding the lens through which we see the world.

Travel enriches us in ways no textbook or classroom can.
It teaches perspective—showing us that life can be lived in countless ways.
It fosters empathy—helping us connect with people whose lives are so different, yet deeply similar to ours.
And it sparks creativity—reminding us that inspiration is everywhere if we allow ourselves to look.

For me, travel is about collecting moments, not things. It’s about allowing new places and cultures to shape me, to stretch my thinking, and to remind me that the world is both vast and connected.

Because if we’re not careful, life—with all its routines and responsibilities—can quietly slip past us. And that’s what travel interrupts: it wakes us up to the fullness of living.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 11

Learning to Fly Even in the Storm 🕊️🌙

Today I watched birds soaring against a backdrop of heavy winds. The blue sky stretched wide, the moon hung still, yet thick clouds formed underneath. The storm was brewing—but the birds didn’t retreat. They leaned into it. And somehow, it almost looked like they were having fun.

It made me reflect.

Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s the pathway to it. Just like birds, we must stumble before we soar. The fall isn’t the end of the story; it’s the training ground for flight.

And even in the storm, they remind us of something vital: challenges don’t have to ground us. They can lift us higher. Resistance makes us stronger. Headwinds teach us endurance.

Whether in life, business, or leadership—falling is inevitable. Facing storms is inevitable. But growth comes from how we rise, adapt, and keep moving forward despite them.

So the next time you find yourself in the storm, remember: it might just be the very thing teaching you how to fly.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 12

The Power of Collaboration 🌩️📸

This idea started while I was packing for our holiday trip to the Netherlands. I imagined a stormy-weather self-portrait—with the sun peeking through the clouds, heavy winds creating drama, and styling to bring it all together.

When the day came, the conditions were perfect… but the winds were too strong for me to manage the shoot alone. My original plan would have meant juggling camera, setup, and posing all by myself.

Instead of giving up, I shared the idea with my husband—who’s also a talented photographer. His immediate response? “Yes, I’d love to take the shots!”

I had the concept, the styling, the location, and the vision. He brought his perspective, technical eye, and creative flair. Together, we created something even more spectacular than I had originally imagined.

It was a reminder that as much as independence and self-reliance are valuable, some of the best results come from collaboration. Having the right partner or team, someone who shares the vision and adds their unique strengths—can elevate an idea far beyond what you could achieve alone.

Because in the end, great work isn’t just about talent. It’s about trust, collaboration, and the willingness to create together.

Image: Dirk Müller
Shot on Leica Q3 (43mm lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 13

True Confidence Doesn’t Compete for Attention

I came across a Porsche parked by the beach at sunset.

The scene was breathtaking—the fiery sky reflected against the polished car, waves crashing gently in the background.

What struck me most was how much presence it carried without trying.

The Porsche didn’t need to move, to rev its engine, or to make noise. Its confidence wasn’t in the performance—it was in the design, the identity, and the statement it made simply by being there.

In life, in leadership, in building a brand—true confidence doesn’t compete for attention. It doesn’t need to prove itself by being the loudest in the room.

Instead, it’s felt in the quiet assurance of knowing your worth, standing in your uniqueness, and letting your presence speak louder than words ever could.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 14

Driving back home today after a beautiful week in the Netherlands, I looked up to the sky and noticed this beautiful glow in the sky. There was something calming and surreal about this moment that I wouldn’t have been able to describe. It instantly put a smile on my face. I quickly grabbed my camera, while my husband was driving, and freeze framed the moment.

With not much to say today— I leave you with this view and hope it puts a smile on your face too like it did mine.

Just a reminder: The day is never boring or empty, there’s always beauty to be found just lurking around.

ps: I chose not to do much edit to this shot, leaving it almost as it looked but added some warmth just to reduce the blue hues a bit.

Image: Faith Müller
Shot on Fujifilm X-T5 (16-55mm Fujinon Lens)

Day 15

Sometimes when something isn’t working, it’s possible you’ve been looking at it from the wrong perspective.

Inspired by Fine Art photography with natural light. I decided to experiment further. This time I grabbed my husband’s s Leica Q3 (43mm lens), an empty glass cup, a reflector and made use of natural light coming from the window.

At first it was proving impossible, trying to get a decent shot. After so many trials and beginning to feel like —this is just not going to work. I stood up almost in defeat but looked down at the object I was trying to photograph and thought to myself— hold on, what if I tried shooting from this angle? I moved my reflector around a bit to see how the light falls on my subject, with my camera in hand snapping away while experimenting even more with the reflector in other hand…. aaaand viola! I got the shots that finally made me smile!

Today’s lesson? Sometimes when you are faced with a project or anything and it feels like it’s not working? You are probably not looking at it from the right perspective yet.

✨ Don’t forget— the everyday is never empty, look closer and there’s always a story worth learning from.


Copyright: Faith Müller
Captured on Leica Q3 (43mm lens)
Edited on Lightroom

Day 16

The Art of Letting Go

Do you know that feeling when an idea doesn’t just stay an idea—when you actually get to bring it to life, and it exceeds your expectations?

That was me after seeing the images from my recent project, “Woman in the Storm,” which I created together with my husband.

Today editing these photos was a rollercoaster of nostalgia. I caught myself smiling, remembering how much I enjoyed modeling—because for me, modeling has always been more than just posing for a camera.

It is:
✨ A state of expression
✨ A dance with emotions
✨ A performance of self, where the audience is the camera

In those moments, I wasn’t trying to control anything. I simply let myself be. The sound of the wind, the feel of the earth beneath my feet, the texture of the fabric—all became part of the performance.

Every movement, every flow, every expression, every pose carried a piece of me.

Today’s lesson?
Passion can’t be faked. It speaks for itself.

And that, I believe, is what truly sets us apart.

Have you undertaken on similar challenge? I would love to read about your stories and perspectives in comments below.

Thank you for following along the journey.

Faith Mueller

Documentary Photographer & Visual Storyteller, Germany.

https://www.faithmueller.eu
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