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CHOICE: A Strategic Guide for High-Achievers to Stop Autopilot and Navigate Travel with Integrity
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2026
About the author
Elaina Kelly Smith
4 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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 7, 2026
Bustle and Hustle
Choice is a thoughtful book, short and sweet- about 80 pages or so- that gives you insights about whether you might enjoy solo travel. After reading this book, I’ve decided to just stay at home and read about other people’s travels….some of it good, while some of it sounds like a complete nightmare.
If you can handle mega stress, delays, communication barriers, tears and self hugs to calm down, then solo traveling the world might be your bag.
Choice is a thoughtful book, short and sweet- about 80 pages or so- that gives you insights about whether you might enjoy solo travel. After reading this book, I’ve decided to just stay at home and read about other people’s travels….some of it good, while some of it sounds like a complete nightmare.
If you can handle mega stress, delays, communication barriers, tears and self hugs to calm down, then solo traveling the world might be your bag.
Displaying 1 of 1 review