Writer Lilia J Don joins me today to chat about her debut self-help book, Chasing Footnotes: Where the Story of Your Past Meets the Power of Your True Self.
Welcome, Lilia. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A truth seeker and quiet disruptor, I am devoted to raising collective awareness and guiding others toward a life anchored in authenticity, presence, and emotional clarity. Born in Bulgaria on 11 August 1982, I journeyed through South Africa in my teens before finding home in Australia by the end of 2023. As a commercial and intellectual property lawyer licensed in both South Africa and Australia, I bridge the worlds of logic and intuition – offering a grounded yet expansive voice that speaks to both the mind and the soul.
My personal evolution began with the quiet but persistent questions many of us eventually face: How did I get here? and Who have I become, really? Over time, I realized I had taken on roles, beliefs, and expectations that didn’t truly reflect who I was, but rather, who the world had asked me to be. My path has been one of unlearning: peeling back the layers of conditioning, meeting myself with curiosity instead of judgment, and gently releasing what no longer fit. Through this process, I discovered that personal power lies not in striving or fixing, but in having the courage to question, reflect, and return to the voice within. Life doesn’t need to be difficult to be beautiful, but it does require presence, perseverance, self-honesty, and a willingness to unlearn.
I do not write as an expert or authority, but as someone who has done the internal work and continues to live by the values I share. Through my work, I encourage readers to do the same: to trust themselves, to break free from inherited beliefs and external expectations, and to follow their own intuitive knowing rather than someone else’s version of truth.
My debut book, Chasing Footnotes: Where the Story of Your Past Meets the Power of Your True Self, is a heartfelt invitation to those seeking to reconnect with what’s real, wise, and quietly powerful within them. Lilia’s mission is to stir awareness, challenge convention, and support meaningful, soul-driven change across both personal and societal landscapes, one honest conversation at a time.
What inspired you to write this book?
This book was born not from ambition, but from a quiet, undeniable knowing—an inner summons that arrived swiftly and with absolute clarity. It wasn’t something I pondered or debated. When the call came, I recognized it instantly and responded without hesitation. There was no room for doubt—only a deep, anchored sense that this was what I was meant to do.
Chasing Footnotes emerged from years of reflection, growth, and integration—yet when the moment came to write, it moved through me with rare urgency and ease. I felt a profound responsibility to share what I had come to understand—not just for the sake of storytelling, but in service of those walking their own path of becoming.
This book is an offering—an invitation to look beyond the visible, into the hidden threads of our personal narratives. My vision is to help others live more honestly, love more openly, and reconnect with the quiet but powerful truth of who they really are.
What exciting project are you working on next?
My next exciting project is Book No. 2 — a continuation of my journey into understanding human connection. This one focuses on parenting and children, but with an emphasis on the inner work required of us first. It explores how healing and self-awareness within ourselves create the foundation for raising a resilient, emotionally grounded generation — one free from the inherited weight of our past.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I’ve considered myself a writer since childhood. But for a long time, that part of me was put on ice — a quiet casualty of unrecognized talent and lack of encouragement. Writing had always been my natural way of expressing myself, and it took time, courage, and a deep sense of purpose to finally share that voice with the world.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write full-time in the traditional sense, but writing is a constant undercurrent in my life. For me, it’s about consistency and presence — staying open to the messages that want to come through. I jot down ideas and reflections as they arise, often when I’m most connected or inspired. Writing can’t be forced; it requires being in the right frequency to channel words that genuinely resonate — words that are not only relatable but also applicable in real life.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My writing quirk is that I often channel concepts I don’t fully understand at first. When that happens, I pause, research, and educate myself before continuing. It’s an intuitive process — all heart, no filters. I don’t use editors for a reason: I want to preserve the authenticity of one voice — mine — with the intention that it encourages the awakening of one voice — yours.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Artist or psychologist