Let's Get into the 2026 September Writing Prompts!
Welcome to the third instalment of the linkups since its relaunch! I am happy that there have been a few entries in the past two linkups, and that there were both 'old' and new faces. It has been refreshing to see how others interpreted the prompts, which were very different from my own. Come join us this month in the September writing prompts — I for one, would love to read what you have to say 🙂
*Disclaimer: This post/linkup is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my/our personal experiences as patient(s). I/We are not doctors, and nothing in this post or its associated links should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post/linkup may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!
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What the 2026 September Writing Prompts are About, and How to Participate
The writing prompts are a monthly get-together for anyone with a chronic illness, mental illness or disability. An opportunity to share, to listen, and to learn from one another through shared writing prompts.
I also think it’s a great way to provide insight into life with chronic pain and disabilities, from many different points of view. You can choose to write about your latest experiences with chronic illness and/or disability, or even turn it into an evergreen blog post.
All you have to do is write a post using at least three of the writing prompts listed below, and publish it on your blog, or to a free writing platform such as Medium or SubStack (don't forget to set the post for public viewing!). Then click on the blue ‘Add Link’ button in the widget below to add your blog post to this page. Voilà, you’re now part of the linkup party!
Simple Rules for the 2026 September Writing Prompts
- Only submit one link per website/blog.
- If you choose to participate, do comment on at least two other blog posts in this linkup by the end of the month. Return to check at a later date if there aren't enough entries yet. Helping to spread the word on your social media is always appreciated, but not required.
- Linkups start on the first of every month. There will be five different writing prompts. It will close at the end of each month before midnight. All timings listed are in Singapore time (+8 GMT).
- Pick at least three of the writing prompts to write about. Five is best, of course!
- Insert a link to this post when you submit your blog entry for auto verification.
- Failure to follow these rules might get you blacklisted from future writing prompt linkups. Let's keep it fair for all 🙂
September 2026 Awareness Dates
Here are a few awareness dates for September 2026. Note that there may be variations, as different countries hold events or awareness dates on different dates. It is also not an exhaustive list, as there are many different days for just about everything. Feel free to use the prompts to advocate or talk more about these awareness dates if you like.
- World Sexual Health Day (04 September)
- World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September)
- World Sepsis Day (13 September)
- World Lymphoma Awareness Day (15 September)
- National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (18 September)
- World Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week (14 – 20 September)
- World Hydrocephalus Day (20 September)
- National Non-speaking/Nonverbal Awareness Day (30 September)
The following awareness campaigns span the entire month (a long list for September, as you can see!):
- Alopecia Areata Awareness Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Awareness Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Dystonia Awareness Month
- Gynaecologic Cancer Awareness Month
- Immune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Month
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
- National Pain Awareness Month
- National Recovery Month
- National Service Dog Month
- National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
- National Vascular Disease Awareness Month
- PCOS Awareness Month (now renamed to "Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome" (PMOS))
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Urology Awareness Month
- World Alzheimer's Month
- World Sexual and Reproductive Health Month
Presenting the 2026 September Writing Prompts 🎉
1. Asking
Have you had to ask for more help than usual of late due to chronic pain, chronic fatigue or other disabilities? Or perhaps others have been asking you for help instead (or asking too many questions...). Perhaps you need to ask your doctor about a certain finding. You could also be asking for accommodations in school, asking for permission to do something, enquiring about project details, or seeking answers to a question be it from the community, AI, a mentor, or even yourself. You might also have been trying to ask for help to no avail. This prompt is quite open to interpretation, I think 🙂
2. Overthinking
When you live with invisible illness, it can be easy to fall into the trap of overthinking. This can be especially true if the symptoms are seemingly mysterious, or repeatedly refuted. It can also be easy to overthink when you're in the throes of a severe pain flare, or before or after a surgery. During such moments, you might feel like you're a burden to others, engage in negative self-talk, or reinforce defeating thoughts. The mind and body are connected, after all. What are your strategies to deal with such rumination?
You may also be experiencing a high level of stress from work, relationship, family, or some other issue. This often leads to anxiety and/or insomnia, as your mind plays the problem on repeat.
3. Humbling
Modern society tends to be ego-focused and productivity driven, where a lot of one's identity and self-esteem are tied to their career, possessions, and such. Chronic illness and/or disability can be a humbling experience, because you realise just how fragile human beings are, and how life can change so quickly. You could also be experiencing other humbling moments that are not health-related.
Having said that, the word 'humbling' has a lot of positive connotations too; for example, experiencing the grandness of nature could leave you in awe and humbled. Or you could feel humbled by other nice human beings who go out of their way to make the lives of others better, when they really do not need to do so (R.I.P. Dolly Parton 😔)
4. Valuing
Apart from the association with financial assessments, "valuing" could also be related to appreciation and gratitude for certain people, circumstances, moments, systems, and more. Alternatively, feel free to use this prompt to share more about values you hold dear, and how they help you thrive despite chronic illness or disability.
5. Reclaiming
You could be working towards reclaiming a certain aspect of your sense of self or identity, such as self-esteem or self-worth, self-confidence, or character trait. Or you could be attempting to reclaim a state of health and well-being. You could also be reclaiming a physical possession, reclaiming certain boundaries, rights, and more. (I don't think any of us here have the power or resources to reclaim any land, but if you do — it would be very interesting to hear about it 😆)
Join Us in the 2026 September Writing Prompts Here
Do you have thoughts to any of the writing prompts above? I truly hope to hear from you, and am eager to read what you have to say!
You can read past linkup entries here for inspiration or ideas on how or what to write about. Feel free to write in whatever style or form suits you, however. These writing prompts are meant to be a relaxing and cathartic community activity, after all. Happy writing and sharing!
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