Thomas Mühlemann: Happiness is not a measurable value

G randson and son of non-commissioned officers, Thomas has always been immersed in the military sphere. His political studies in Toulouse are focused on defense and security policies, a nod to his family background. Fan of watches, he also connects to his family’s heritage through this. Indeed, his grandfather was a watchmaker, and it is one of the reasons why he is always seeking new watches, especially vintage ones with incredible stories.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I would say that being happy for me is feeling good in my work environment by doing something that I love and that is senseful for me and for others. Happiness is also about family, and being happy with mine is essential for me, as well as my family’s health. Besides this, I would like to break loose from my attraction to goods like watches for instance. I always love seeking new watches, but at some point, having too many of them just make the whole passion senseless and it becomes more a sort of obsession than a love related to my grandfather.

When and where were you happiest?

I don’t think that happiness is a measurable value, we cannot really know that this special moment is the happiest we have ever been, it’s later on when we think back to it, that we know it was the happiest we had ever been. I have spent this Christmas in New York, it was my first time there and one of my biggest dreams, I was very happy then. Is it going to be the time where I was the happiest? I can’t know, but I was happy there, for sure.

What is your motto?

Learn to be happy, beyond any obstacles, and appreciate every little thing in our daily life. Unfortunately, I wish I could refer to this motto every day, but I don’t; I think that happiness is hard to reach.

What is your present state of mind?

I just had my last period of exams of my life, I’m relieved that this stressful period is over, but at the same time, I’m wistful. This is my last year of college, in less than a month I will be living in Paris for my internship. I am originally from Toulouse, all the members of my family are living in this area, I’ve never been away from them for so long. My family is everything to me, I’m sad to leave, but I’m also very excited to see what my life will look like in Paris. The city of love was the cradle of my father’s youth, his years in the military, and the defense policies, I can’t wait to see where he used to work, where he used to eat and wander.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My lack of confidence. This has been impacting my relationships with others, sometimes I just don’t feel confident enough to get into a conversation. This lack of confidence goes also with me always wanting to please people.

What is your most treasured possession?

I like everything that is ancient with a background. For instance, my grandfather who was a watchmaker gave my dad a watch, who then gave it to me. This watch is from the 60s, and I cherish it a lot, I love taking care of it and love learning the story behind it. I think that the stories about my grandfather, and the time when I visited his workshop with my dad awakened my love for watches. Whenever I have a special occasion, I prefer to wear this special watch to another fancier one. This watch is what still connects me to him.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

There are several personalities that are not considered as leaders in which I can see myself. I like these kinds of personalities, they just happened to be there by accident, because of fate. I’m impressed by these people that turned the codes upside down, with an important strength of character that led them. When I think about fate and artists, I think about Frank Sinatra, but also Barack Obama. Beyond everything that he lets people see of him, he’s a very cerebral person and I would say that he inspires me a lot.

What do you most value in your friends?

Friends are like a second family that we choose. We create a strong connection, you know you can count on them in difficult times, but also in happy times.

Who are your favorite writers?

I have so many writers that I love to read, but I would that that Jack London is my favorite one. When I read his books, I feel an incredible amount of emotions because of his writing style and stories. My favorite book from him is Martin Eden. The words and the story are beautiful, it’s about mechanisms of love, success, and the recognition of success. I genuinely loved this book because it’s one of the most autobiographical books he’s ever written.

How would you like to die?

I’m not sure I can say that there is any nice way to die, but I think that dying in a painless and unexpected way could be the best one. Personally, death doesn’t scare me at all, I prefer to see it as a step in life; from the moment you’ve accomplished what you wanted, I think death is just the logical next step.