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Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust
Do you feel like a passenger in your own life?
On paper, everything looks fine. You are responsible, capable, and reliable. But inside, there is a quiet, persistent hum of disconnection. You are living on "autopilot," guided by a relentless chorus of "shoulds" rather than your own inner voice.
In Changing Course Gracefully, Elaina Kelly Smith introduces the PARQS Framework—a practical, brick-by-brick system to help you disconnect from "Remote Control Living" and rebuild your foundation of self-trust.
This is not just a book of theory; it is a hands-on field guide. You will learn how
P Reconnect with what you actually want.
A Use your body’s signals to stop navigating blind.
Right Take small, integrity-aligned steps (even when you're scared).
Q Silence the Inner Critic with compassionate inquiry.
S Practice radical loyalty to yourself.
Whether you are navigating a career change, setting boundaries with family, or battling imposter syndrome, this book gives you the compass to find your way home to yourself.
On paper, everything looks fine. You are responsible, capable, and reliable. But inside, there is a quiet, persistent hum of disconnection. You are living on "autopilot," guided by a relentless chorus of "shoulds" rather than your own inner voice.
In Changing Course Gracefully, Elaina Kelly Smith introduces the PARQS Framework—a practical, brick-by-brick system to help you disconnect from "Remote Control Living" and rebuild your foundation of self-trust.
This is not just a book of theory; it is a hands-on field guide. You will learn how
P Reconnect with what you actually want.
A Use your body’s signals to stop navigating blind.
Right Take small, integrity-aligned steps (even when you're scared).
Q Silence the Inner Critic with compassionate inquiry.
S Practice radical loyalty to yourself.
Whether you are navigating a career change, setting boundaries with family, or battling imposter syndrome, this book gives you the compass to find your way home to yourself.
164 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Elaina Kelly Smith
3 books1 followerElaina 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.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2026
What exactly is the PARQS Method? For readers unfamiliar with the concept, the acronym represents preferences, awareness, right action, questions, and self-acceptance. This book traces one woman’s lived experience applying the method as a practical framework for personal growth. Rather than drifting through life on autopilot, she learns to engage more intentionally with her choices. That shift unfolds alongside extensive travel, with journeys through Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, and other destinations serving as both backdrop and catalyst. Along the way, she enters into honest, often probing conversations with herself about what she truly wants. The insights that emerge are thoughtful, relatable, and potentially transformative for readers navigating similar questions.
Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust by Elaina Kelly Smith is a work of nonfiction that comfortably resides within the self-help genre while also functioning as a reflective travel narrative. The blend feels organic rather than forced, grounding abstract ideas in lived experience.
Smith begins by acknowledging a sense of disconnection from her own agency. Life felt directed by habit rather than intention. Through the combined practices of travel and the PARQS Method, she gradually examines the gaps in her inner life. Each step invites deeper self-awareness. The goal is not radical upheaval, but clarity. Stress softens. Calm becomes accessible. Direction starts to feel earned rather than imposed.
Exposure to other cultures plays a meaningful role in this evolution. Observing how people live elsewhere sharpens Smith’s understanding of what aligns with her own values. She invites readers to undertake a similar process, offering a structured and approachable path for self-examination. While few will replicate her exact journey, the method she outlines is adaptable. Used thoughtfully, it can help readers clarify their own priorities and move toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and purposeful.
What ultimately distinguishes this book is the warmth of Smith’s voice. Her prose is clear without being clinical. She writes as a trusted companion rather than an authority figure. Anecdotes feel intimate. Reflections feel earned. The result is a guide that soothes as much as it instructs, offering readers not just a method, but a sense of reassurance along the way.
Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust by Elaina Kelly Smith is a work of nonfiction that comfortably resides within the self-help genre while also functioning as a reflective travel narrative. The blend feels organic rather than forced, grounding abstract ideas in lived experience.
Smith begins by acknowledging a sense of disconnection from her own agency. Life felt directed by habit rather than intention. Through the combined practices of travel and the PARQS Method, she gradually examines the gaps in her inner life. Each step invites deeper self-awareness. The goal is not radical upheaval, but clarity. Stress softens. Calm becomes accessible. Direction starts to feel earned rather than imposed.
Exposure to other cultures plays a meaningful role in this evolution. Observing how people live elsewhere sharpens Smith’s understanding of what aligns with her own values. She invites readers to undertake a similar process, offering a structured and approachable path for self-examination. While few will replicate her exact journey, the method she outlines is adaptable. Used thoughtfully, it can help readers clarify their own priorities and move toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and purposeful.
What ultimately distinguishes this book is the warmth of Smith’s voice. Her prose is clear without being clinical. She writes as a trusted companion rather than an authority figure. Anecdotes feel intimate. Reflections feel earned. The result is a guide that soothes as much as it instructs, offering readers not just a method, but a sense of reassurance along the way.
December 24, 2025
Changing Course Gracefully: A Strategic Guide to Building Foundational Self-Trust is a thoughtful and compelling book that draws deeply from Elaina Kelly Smith’s personal journey. As one of four books she has written, this one stands out to me because of how honestly she shares her experiences while offering practical tools that feel genuinely usable in everyday life.
What I found most impactful was her unique PARQS framework, which she explains clearly and supports with real, relatable examples. The framework—Preferences, Awareness, Right Actions, and Self-Awareness— showed me how to slow down and truly consider how I make decisions. I especially resonated with the emphasis on Right Actions and Self-Awareness, as these concepts encouraged me to act in ways that are aligned with my values rather than reacting out of habit or pressure.
I appreciated how Smith breaks each element of PARQS down in a way that feels approachable instead of overwhelming. Rather than being abstract or theoretical, the examples made it easy to reflect on my own life and recognize where small shifts in thinking could lead to better outcomes. For me, her PARQS Framework became a practical guide for navigating everyday decisions, not just major life changes.
Overall, this book is a brilliant guide for dealing with life’s complexities with more intention, clarity, and self-trust. It’s a book that invites reflection without judgment and empowered me to move forward with confidence and as she implies - with grace. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to better understand themselves and make more aligned, thoughtful choices in their daily life. It just happens to be one of those challenging, life-changing books that stays with you wherever life takes you.
What I found most impactful was her unique PARQS framework, which she explains clearly and supports with real, relatable examples. The framework—Preferences, Awareness, Right Actions, and Self-Awareness— showed me how to slow down and truly consider how I make decisions. I especially resonated with the emphasis on Right Actions and Self-Awareness, as these concepts encouraged me to act in ways that are aligned with my values rather than reacting out of habit or pressure.
I appreciated how Smith breaks each element of PARQS down in a way that feels approachable instead of overwhelming. Rather than being abstract or theoretical, the examples made it easy to reflect on my own life and recognize where small shifts in thinking could lead to better outcomes. For me, her PARQS Framework became a practical guide for navigating everyday decisions, not just major life changes.
Overall, this book is a brilliant guide for dealing with life’s complexities with more intention, clarity, and self-trust. It’s a book that invites reflection without judgment and empowered me to move forward with confidence and as she implies - with grace. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to better understand themselves and make more aligned, thoughtful choices in their daily life. It just happens to be one of those challenging, life-changing books that stays with you wherever life takes you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews