A complimentary audiobook of essays
by Xandra Robinson-Burns
Meet our heroine: spotted in an English ice cream cafe, laptop and the Complete Works of Shakespeare in hand.
They say you’re the combination of the five people you spend the most time with, but do fictional characters count? Xandra Robinson-Burns certainly thinks so.
She’s got a thing for the theatre — and draws meaning from the most unexpected sources of inspiration. One minute she’s quoting Albus Dumbledore, the next she’s smuggling British Vogue into the Bodleian Library.
Since when has productivity felt so vibrant? Her essays will lead you through the literary soiree that is her life.
Our story starts with her discovery of a certain vinyl Broadway Cast Recordings in her parents’ basement. Follow along as this productivity nerd steps out of her day planner and dares herself to live like a leading lady.
Can’t believe academic work can get done over a champagne brunch? Press play and see for yourselves. The show must go on.
In Everyday Wonderland, we focus on daily life details, because personal development doesn’t have to feel like such a big deal. This programme is for heroines in search of habits over lifestyle upheavals.
The postcards are designed to get you started and keep you in momentum. Less dwelling on later, more focus on adventuring now -- because today is what we have.
When you understand daily life, everything comes together. Bigger dreams and decisions become clearer, because you are an expert in the subtle nuances of your day - in motion and in stillness, in stress and in joy.
Through small details, each week we articulate how we want to live. When you understand this on a smaller scale, the bigger questions will fall into place. When you slow down, time expands.
First you receive the digital handbook:
Everyday Wonderland - A Handbook for Heroines in Training.
Then each Wednesday of the month you'll receive a digital postcard to read as the kettle boils for your tea.
Each ends with a Call to Adventure inspired by the Four Stages of the Heroine's Journey:
Lots of e-mails give me an initial feeling of stress but when I see Xandra's postcards I'm like YES and sometimes save it for a special moment during my day when I know I'll get to enjoy it.”
"The prompts in the programme have inspired me to try different things, one of which was handwriting a note instead of emailing, and looking up my mother’s recipe for afternoon tea scones to share with the group.”
"During the month of Cosy, I decided to take hot cocoa along on my errands. I enjoyed this so much that it's now part of my weekly errand running.
After my first errand, my cup of cocoa is at the perfect drinking temperature. Simple changes can invite wonder to the most mundane of tasks."
"Xandra and the Everyday Wonderland weekly Calls to Adventure are the perfect reminders nudging me to seek the things that make me happy and to find adventure in my own backyard. Woohoo!”
"Whenever that magic postcard calling me to adventure enters my inbox, I'm smiling before I've even opened it, knowing that whatever's inside will give me a very classy pair of Xandra-style glasses that will inspire me to see my everyday surroundings and actions in new and surprising ways.
Everyday Wonderland has given me simple yet powerful spells to discover and practice new habits that continue even after the month's theme has ended. Answering the calls to adventure is like inhabiting a parallel universe where I carry out imaginative acts that only I can see in the moment, but that have an effect on the real world.
And even if it looks like there's no-one else around me who can see Everyday Wonderland, I know that someone else somewhere in the world is playing in Wonderland too. That's the real magic for me."
"Everyday Wonderland encourages me to use what I already have or experience, but see it in a different way. The Calls to Adventure prompt me to simplify and make a game out of whatever I’m doing.
I relax into myself and appreciate my experience more. For example, actively enjoying a visit with relatives, instead of getting lost in making sure everything is perfect.
Xandra is so supportive and easy to communicate with. That warmth is something I didn’t know I needed, but am glad to have found in Everyday Wonderland.
Xandra Robinson-Burns, founder of Heroine Training, is an essayist, TEDx speaker, and Gryffindor. She graduated from Exeter College, Oxford with a degree in English, and an eye for finding portals to imaginary worlds.
Her work has been featured in The Guardian and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Xandra lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband, dog, and planner.
Anyone who identifies as a heroine.
When you join, you will be sent your downloadable copy of Everyday Wonderland: A Heroine's Handbook, which will guide you on your journey - it’s something to pore over between postcards if you’re longing for more.
You will also receive an invitation to join our Secret Garden on Facebook to connect over common themes. A moment becomes more meaningful when shared.
This is a place to turn to when you spot something magical and want to share with someone who understands.
In turn, it’s a place where we expand our perspectives by seeing how fellow heroines experience the same theme in their worlds.
Then, every Wednesday morning, you will receive a new digital postcard, each with its own Call to Adventure.
Everyday Wonderland brings the handmade touch of a subscription box - but in digital form. No physical clutter. It’s digital, but bounces you back into the physical offline world.
If you do not receive your welcome email with 24 hours on a weekday, please contact xandra@heroinetraining.com.
The minimum time commitment is 1 minute per week. Yes really :)
Yes. Our Secret Garden on Facebook is a recommended but optional part of the programme. It’s available for connecting with the community, forming friendships, and holding space for your discoveries that you long to share with others.
If you choose not to join the group, I strongly recommend you sign up with a friend IRL as an accountability pen pal.
Now! You should receive your welcome email within 24 hours on a weekday. Your first digital postcard arrives on the Wednesday after you sign up.
Yes. You can manage your account via Patreon.
"As an enchanting hostess, Xandra will make you aware of the delights to be found in the most unique and charming places.
The community is a quiet refuge reminiscent of sitting serenely amidst lush foliage, breathing in fragrant air, and hearing only whispers of rustling leaves.
This is what life is like with no cell phones, no rushing traffic, and no noisy demands on your time.”
© Copyright 2019 . Xandra Robinson-Burns, Heroine Training
