What do you think?
Rate this book
Changing Course Gracefully: A Guided Travel Journal for Calm, Clarity, and Self-Trust
A guided travel journal for calm, clarity, and self-trust.
Paperback
Published November 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Elaina Kelly Smith
3 booksElaina Kelly Smith knows the feeling of "Remote Control Living" intimately.
Elaina Kelly Smith is the founder of Ventures & Bloom Press and the author of Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust.
Her life has been less of a gentle journey and more of an emotionally action-packed odyssey. Growing up in a highly restrictive environment, she eventually broke free to travel to all seven continents, building successful businesses along the way. Yet, despite her external freedom, she realized she was still living on "autopilot"—guided by a quiet chorus of "shoulds" rather than her own internal voice.
Elaina spent years navigating the "messy middle" to develop the PARQS™ Framework (Preferences, Awareness, Right Action, Questions, Self-Acceptance). This practical, "brick-by-brick" system is the compass she built to find her way back to herself—tools she continues to use every day to reinforce her own foundation. She shares this framework not as a rigid prescription, but as a way for readers to disconnect from remote control living and build their own path to self-trust.
Beyond the Book
Elaina describes herself as a fellow traveler and a lifelong learner who reads for utility, not just theory. When she isn’t writing, teaching, or cooking for those she holds close to her heart, you will likely find her outside. She has a deep appreciation for flowers—often stopping to take photos of them on her daily walks to share with friends.
She is also focused on direct-impact philanthropy, including supporting centers for visually impaired children in Vietnam and delivering essential supplies to rural families in Cambodia.
Elaina Kelly Smith is the founder of Ventures & Bloom Press and the author of Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust.
Her life has been less of a gentle journey and more of an emotionally action-packed odyssey. Growing up in a highly restrictive environment, she eventually broke free to travel to all seven continents, building successful businesses along the way. Yet, despite her external freedom, she realized she was still living on "autopilot"—guided by a quiet chorus of "shoulds" rather than her own internal voice.
Elaina spent years navigating the "messy middle" to develop the PARQS™ Framework (Preferences, Awareness, Right Action, Questions, Self-Acceptance). This practical, "brick-by-brick" system is the compass she built to find her way back to herself—tools she continues to use every day to reinforce her own foundation. She shares this framework not as a rigid prescription, but as a way for readers to disconnect from remote control living and build their own path to self-trust.
Beyond the Book
Elaina describes herself as a fellow traveler and a lifelong learner who reads for utility, not just theory. When she isn’t writing, teaching, or cooking for those she holds close to her heart, you will likely find her outside. She has a deep appreciation for flowers—often stopping to take photos of them on her daily walks to share with friends.
She is also focused on direct-impact philanthropy, including supporting centers for visually impaired children in Vietnam and delivering essential supplies to rural families in Cambodia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 30, 2025
This guide surprised me in the best way. What stayed with me most was how the author weaves personal experiences into practical tools in a way that feels really grounding and relatable. It made me reflect on how I move through travel and how much more intentional and present those experiences can be. The tone is calm, supportive, and easy to follow, never preachy. The tools aren’t just useful for travel either, they translate beautifully into everyday life. I’d recommend this guide to both seasoned travelers and anyone looking to travel more mindfully. It’s thoughtful, reassuring, and genuinely helpful.
December 30, 2025
This book is really insightful and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to find healthier ways to manage stress while traveling! I also try to apply some of the methods in the book to my daily life as well. The item was shipped exactly as described !
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews