Blogging

Conscious by Chloé Turns 10 Today!

Sep 01, 2025 · 5 min read

Ten years ago today, I hit “publish” on my very first Conscious by Chloé post.

It was 2015. I had just moved to Portland after a year in Southern California, still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life after crossing the Atlantic. Everything felt new and overwhelming—new country, new language, new rhythms. Starting a blog gave me something steady to hold onto: a creative outlet, a way to share my budding interest in the zero waste lifestyle, and, maybe most importantly, a way to stay connected with friends near and far while making new ones along the way.

Back then, I had no idea this little corner of the internet would push me to learn new skills—writing in English, practicing photography, navigating social media—and would connect me to communities and friendships that still ripple through my life today.

Highlights

So much has happened since that first article in 2015. Here are a few of the moments and milestones that stand out:

2015–2017: Finding My Voice

I learned how to blog in English, take (and edit!) photos, and share my writing online.
I joined the Zero Waste Bloggers Network and connected with inspiring writers and makers around the world.
I attended more events than ever in my life, from workshops to gallery openings to creative networking meet-ups.
I volunteered at a local reuse shop.
I became a Master Recycler and published the Zero Waste Guide to Portland, OR.

2017–2019: Building Community

I shared my home, habits, and hacks with new friends and neighbors.
I pitched articles to magazines, was interviewed in numerous podcasts, and featured in YouTube videos.
I hosted my first workshops in Portland—everything from bulk shopping trips to zero waste home tours.
In 2018, I co-organized the first Portland Zero Waste Conference.
In June of 2019, during the month leading up to my move back to France, I hosted a series of conferences and worked as a Waste Analysis Crew Member (the hardest job I've ever had!)
I put my life into storage, and returned to France while I waited for a new visa.

2019–2021: Shifts & Slowdowns

In the fall of 2019, I relocated to a tiny house in SE Portland.
Like so many of us, my routines changed during the pandemic and my focus shifted from sustainability to survival.
In June of 2020, I got notice to move out of my house and ended up settling down in the rural town of Sisters where I started rethinking sustainability in a small-town context—less bulk shopping, more clothing swaps and neighbor-to-neighbor connections.
I started volunteering at the farmers market and ended up joining its committee the following season.
My definition of “living consciously” began to expand: beyond personal choices to community care and advocacy.

2022–2025: Growing Where I’m Planted

I learned to balance sustainability with rural life (carpooling vs. public transit, Buy Nothing groups vs. thrift stores).
I exited my Covid bubble and started taking myself on dates to Bend, OR, where I regularly met up with fellow creative types, and rode bikes with badass women.
In 2024, I stepped into leadership roles, including guiding Zero Waste teams at a local music festival organization.
I explored new creative interests—from zines and punch needling to gravel biking.
In 2025, I participated in my town’s Civic Leadership Academy, finally obtained my green card, and felt more at ease sharing my voice.
I'm in the process of obtaining my True Zero Waste Advisor certification.
I was invited to take on a social media manager role for a local farm and continued putting more irons in the fire as AI keeps threatening my other job.
More recently, I discovered the power of community when the Flat Fire came dangerously close to my little town.

Reader Favorites Over the Years

Checking the blog’s analytics shows that our common interests still align. Here are a few favorites:

I tend to forget to take pictures other than with my phone when I travel, but would love to share a little more about my daily life and my explorations, near and far. How does that sound?

Looking Forward

Ten years later, I’m in my 40s, with new interests and a broader definition of what it means to live consciously. Some topics (like recipes) have fallen away, while others (like crafting, reading, and life stuff) have taken center stage.

I still wonder sometimes: should I post more about local life here in Central Oregon? Or keep things broader? Maybe the answer is simply to share what feels true to me right now.

With Gratitude

Looking back, what stands out most isn’t just the blog posts themselves, but the connections they sparked. Sometimes it’s an email from a reader about gravel biking, a text from a friend who stumbled upon my face in an old YouTube video, or a random conversation where someone mentions something I once wrote. Those little echoes remind me why I keep coming back here, even after breaks: this blog is my constant, my creative companion, and a bridge to so many of you.

A very special thank you goes to Octave—my first reader, my cheerleader, photo editor, technical support, and the person who designed the very first version of this blog back in 2015 (and gifted me a beautiful redesign for its 10th birthday at the beginning of this year). His support has carried me through every stage of this creative journey.

Ten years later, my motto Simpler, Greener, Happier still feels like the compass that guides me—though my definition of sustainability has shifted, deepened, and expanded along the way.

Thank you for being here, whether you’ve been following since the very beginning or just arrived this week. Your quiet presence, your notes, your encouragement mean more than I can say.

Here’s to another decade of learning, experimenting, connecting, and living consciously—together.

Before I wrap up, I’d love to hear from you.

One of the most rewarding parts of blogging has always been the quiet ways my words ripple out—an email, a text, a passing comment. As Conscious by Chloé enters its next decade, I’d be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to share your thoughts in a short reader survey.

Your feedback will help me shape what’s next—whether that’s more DIYs, local stories, reflections, or something entirely new.

💡

Take the 10-Year Reader Survey (less than 5 mins, I promise!)

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for helping me keep this space alive.