In another life, Nishi Mulchandani Deb was scaling the glam ladders of Mumbai’s bustling PR scene… juggling luxury brands, late-night deadlines, and glittering cocktail parties. Then love came calling… from Denmark. No passport? No problem. She packed up her stilettos, dreams, and a suitcase of sass, and leapt into the unknown.
What followed wasn’t a Pinterest-perfect fairy tale. It was real: snowstorms with a crying baby, job rejections in a language she didn’t speak, and eight years of adjusting to a world where spontaneity is scheduled three months in advance.
But here’s the twist… Nishi didn’t just adapt. She rewrote her definition of success. Trading press releases for peaceful walks, and media brunches for home-baked bread, she embraced the art of “slow living” long before it became a lifestyle hashtag. Today, she’s a Sales Advisor at Georg Jensen, a full-time mom, part-time cultural bridge, and a quiet rebel living life on her own fierce, fabulous terms.
And while she may miss India’s street chaats and loud, fun-filled festivals, she’s busy creating a home filled with cinnamon-scented love, Hindi lullabies, and bite-sized reminders that reinvention is the boldest kind of beauty.
In an exclusive interview with Sumita Chakraborty, Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, Nishi Mulchandani Deb talks about swapping PR pitches for snow boots, chasing love across continents, and why slow living is her new power move… …because who needs a high-rise hustle when you’ve got cozy vibes and a content heart?
Over To Nishi Mulchandani Deb
Nishi, you were thriving in Mumbai’s high-paced PR world, handling some of the most prestigious brands. Walk us through the moment you chose to leave it all behind for love and a life in Denmark. Was it an easy decision or one made through tears and courage?
Nishi: I liked my job in PR and the little progress I made every day in my career. But deep down, I always dreamed of one day leaving the hustle and bustle to live in the mountains. It felt like the universe was listening when I met my partner, who lived in Denmark.
I had always planned to move out of Mumbai someday—but moving out of India wasn’t on the cards. I didn’t even have a passport back then. So no, it wasn’t an easy decision. But I’m someone who takes on life’s challenges. I still remember during one of our conversations, my husband said, “You might have to work as a maid here because getting a PR or marketing job without speaking the local language is almost impossible.” I was nervous—but I took the leap. And here I am today, settled in Denmark for more than nine years.
From the chaotic charm of Mumbai to the quiet, minimalist rhythm of Denmark… what was the biggest cultural or emotional shock you faced in restarting your life abroad?
Nishi: It took me eight years to fully accept this country. Here, people don’t just meet spontaneously—plans are often made at least three months in advance.
The winters are harsh and dark—almost no sunlight for four months. I can’t even express how much I’ve come to love the sun now. You won’t see many people on the streets unless you’re in the main city. I deeply miss Indian food—street chaat, restaurants, everything. You crave something, you make it yourself. But after COVID, more Indians have settled here, so now we have a few more Indian restaurants and grocery shops.
And I miss Indian festivals. No matter what you do, it never feels like India.
But the biggest shock was motherhood. My husband and I were completely on our own—with a cranky colic baby. We had to walk him to sleep, even if it was -12°C outside. So yes, it wasn’t easy to settle here. But now—I love Denmark.
Many people dream of starting over, but few talk about the isolation, identity crisis, or the guilt that can accompany that choice. What part of ‘starting over’ was the hardest for you as a woman, a mother, and a former career professional?
Nishi: Every phase had its own challenges. When I first moved here, I tried really hard to find a job in PR. But as my husband had said—it wasn’t easy. Just to stay professionally active, I started working in retail part-time (25 hours a week).
The good thing about Denmark is that you get paid well and have a good work-life balance. I thought it would be temporary. But then came motherhood, then COVID, and life happened. So I continued in retail and still work as a Sales Advisor for the Danish jewelry brand Georg Jensen.
But honestly, I miss PR. I miss using the skills I worked so hard to build. I used to feel dumb at times—questioning myself. But now, I’ve come to accept and enjoy this life. I love coming home without work stress—no emails, no late-night phone calls.
And yes, people in India do judge me for working in sales—but it doesn’t bother me anymore.
You speak often about embracing ‘slow living’… a concept that feels almost radical to people coming from urban India. What does slow living truly mean to you, and how has it changed the way you see success, ambition, and womanhood?
Nishi: I once read, “You cannot travel in two boats.” So last year, I told myself I’d stop running back to India to escape winters or the slow pace of life—and truly embrace what this country offers.
And I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference it made. I enjoy my walks in nature, baking my own bread, gardening, sipping coffee while watching the birds in my backyard. Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t enjoy this earlier. But maybe things happen when they’re meant to.
Today, I find joy in small, simple things. That’s my definition of success—having time for myself and my family.
Did you ever feel like you had to ‘choose’ between love, career, and self? And if so, how do you now define success on your terms, not society’s?
Nishi: Yes, I chose love over my career—and I’m genuinely happy about that decision. It did bother me at first. Many even advised me not to move abroad. But this life has given me things I may not have had in India.
For instance, handling a crying baby all by myself while my husband was away—it was hard. Maybe in India, I would’ve hired a nanny. But I learned a lot. It’s not easy to leave your family and friends and rely on just one person abroad. But those experiences made me a calmer, happier person.
As a mother raising a child in Denmark while carrying the layered identity of an Indian woman, how do you balance cultural heritage with global exposure? What do you consciously pass on to your son?
Nishi: That’s a great question. My husband is Indian by origin but was born and raised here in Denmark, so he primarily speaks Danish and English, with a little Assamese. He and my son mostly speak in Danish, while my husband and I communicate in English.
Our son, who’s six, goes to daycare and spends most of his day speaking Danish—so naturally, he prefers it even at home. There have been moments when I’ve felt a bit left out. But over time, he’s come to understand that mom has her own language. Now and then, he tries to speak a little Hindi, though he’s more comfortable in English.
To help him stay connected to his roots, we started celebrating Ganpati at home last year. We also make it a point to attend Indian cultural events whenever we can. And of course, I cook Indian food at least three times a week—it’s one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to keep our culture alive at home.
When you look back at your PR career in Mumbai and compare it with your life today, what have you gained… and what did you have to mourn or let go of, even if reluctantly?
Nishi: To be honest, I’ve gained more than I’ve lost. A slower life, more time for myself, more travel, hobbies, and most importantly—being there for every little moment in my son’s life.
What I had to let go of? My beautiful PR network—my friends, journalist connections. I’m still in touch with a few, but life is busy.
Sometimes, I do wish I had something part-time here where I could still use my skills and creativity. But as they say, life isn’t perfect—and that’s okay.
What would you say to the woman who’s scared to pivot, scared to leave, scared to start again…even if her heart is urging her to leap?
Nishi: Someone once said, “Everything you want to learn is on the other side of your comfort zone.” As kids, we never overthought anything—we just went for it. But as adults, we overthink everything.
If something feels right in your heart—go for it. Worst case? It won’t work out. But at least you tried. If you don’t take the leap, you’ll regret it forever.
“So take the leap—and enjoy the wild, beautiful adventure life throws your way.”
– Nishi Mulchandani Deb
