Better Days: The Song That Speaks to My Journey

Music has always been a powerful force in my life. Certain songs have a way of reaching into my soul, putting feelings into words when I struggle to express them myself. But every once in a while, a song comes along that feels like it was written just for me—capturing the highs and lows, the struggles and victories, the resilience and hope that shape my journey.

For me, that song is Better Days.

Written and performed by New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) on their most recent album, Better Days instantly resonated with me. The lyrics spoke of struggle, of pushing through hard times, of finding strength in love and perseverance. It wasn’t about pretending life was easy—it was about acknowledging the challenges but choosing to hold on, to believe in better days ahead.

As someone living with Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (cEDS), a rare connective tissue disorder, life has been anything but easy. I’ve faced countless medical battles, chronic pain, and moments of deep frustration when my body simply wouldn’t cooperate. There have been times when I felt isolated, unheard, and exhausted by the weight of it all. But despite the hardships, I’ve always found a way to keep going.

“The tough times, they won’t last too long. These are the better days.”

That line in the song reminds me of how far I’ve come. It doesn’t mean the struggles magically disappear, but it reinforces the idea that resilience is stronger than hardship. Even in the hardest moments, there’s still joy, love, and purpose to be found.

But what makes that lyric even more meaningful to me is that it’s sung by my favorite New Kid. Knowing that the words that inspire me so much are coming from an artist I’ve loved and admired for years makes the song even more special.

One of the most personal memories tied to this song came before it was even released. The day I took the photo included in this post, I was on my way to see Joey McIntyre in London later that evening. At the time, I had no idea that over a year later, NKOTB would release Better Days, a song he helped write—one that would come to mean so much to me.

But looking back, I smile because that day? That day was one of my better days.

Living with cEDS means that not every day is easy, and some are much harder than others. But that day in London was filled with excitement, joy, and a sense of freedom that doesn’t always come easily. I got to see one of my favorite artists, experience a moment of pure happiness, and create a memory that I still cherish. And when Better Days was finally released, it felt like a full-circle moment—as if the song was now connected to a day that already held so much meaning for me.

But Better Days hasn’t just been a song that comforts me—it has inspired me to write my own.

I’ve always been a writer, a person who loves to create. Whether through stories, poetry, or personal reflections, writing has always been my way of making sense of the world. It’s how I process my experiences, how I share my truth, and how I connect with others.

So when Better Days stirred something deep inside me, I knew I had to write a song of my own.

I wanted to create something that reflected my life with cEDS, my advocacy work, and my determination to turn my pain into purpose. Just like Better Days, my song is about resilience, about standing strong despite the struggles, and about creating hope not just for myself, but for others who feel alone in their journey.

These Are My Stronger Days

(Verse 1)

This is my fight, this is my road

I’ve carried the weight, I’ve walked it alone

Falling down, getting up

But I never let go, no, I never gave up

Heaven knows I’ve struggled

Long nights when I stumbled

But I held on tight

Through every storm

Didn’t have a map

Had to find my path

But I found my way

And these are my stronger days

(Chorus)

The hard times, they won’t last too long

These are my stronger days

I’m still here, I’m still holding on

‘Cause these are my stronger days

(Verse 2)

This is my heart, it’s been bruised

But I wear my scars like something new

Took some time, took some tears

But I found my voice after all these years

Yeah, I had my troubles

Had to fight the struggle

But that’s okay

I made my way

Now I’ve got my light

And I won’t lose sight

What do you say?

These are my stronger days

(Verse 3 – Advocacy Section)

Now I stand, I speak out loud

For the ones who feel lost in the crowd

No one should fight this all alone

So I built a space, a place to call home

I’ve seen the pain, I’ve felt the doubt

But I won’t stop ‘til the word is out

There’s strength in hope, in every name

Together we rise, we’re changing the game

(Chorus)

The hard times, they won’t last too long

These are my stronger days

I’m still here, I’m still holding on

‘Cause these are my stronger days

(Bridge)

Let’s light that fire, let’s feel that spark

Let’s lift each other when days get dark

Let’s sing it loud, let’s stand up tall

We’ve come too far, we’ve fought it all

(Final Chorus)

The hard times, they won’t last too long

These are my stronger days

I’ve found my voice, I’ve found where I belong

‘Cause these are my stronger days

(Outro – Soft Repeat)

La-da-da, la-da-da-da-da-da-da

These are my stronger days

La-da-da, la-da-da-da-da-da-da

These are my stronger days

Music has the power to heal, to inspire, and to remind us that we are not alone.

Better Days will always hold a special place in my heart, not just because of the lyrics or the melody, but because of what it represents—strength, hope, and the reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always light ahead.

And now, through These Are My Stronger Days, I hope to share that same message with others.

Because even in the toughest moments, I will always be a writer, a creator, a storyteller. And through my words, I will keep fighting for better days—not just for myself, but for everyone who needs to know they are not alone.

I hope that in sharing this, others will find their own better days too.

Love Katie/DinkyKt

🖤

What’s a song that has helped you through tough times? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!