March 18, 2025 • pillow talk
Rachael Kirkconnell Reflects on Life Lessons Learned from Her Relationship with Matt James: ‘I Did Grow Up A Lot’
Looking back.
Bachelor Nation got to know Rachael Kirkconnell on Season 25 of “The Bachelor,” where she found love with Matt James.
Earlier this year, Matt revealed that the two had unfortunately broken up, and Rachael shared it was due to each of them deciding they wanted different things.
Rachael has since been very open about her life after the split, and just opened up in an interview with E! News about life lessons she learned during their relationship.
On how she currently feels after the breakup, Rachael shared that she’s still processing what happened.
She said, “I am, again, still processing everything. Figuring it out. I will say, I think a lot of people think that I have feelings of remorse or regret or frustration or that I’m just very, very heartbroken. And I think that I have to remind myself that there was no time wasted.”
Rachael continued and shared how she’s thankful for the relationship because it taught her a lot of life lessons.
“I’m very thankful for everything that I went through. For what we both went through,” she expressed. “At the very end of the day, a relationship along with all of the great memories and fun times and things you’ve done, it also gives you so many life lessons. And I feel like I did grow up a lot within the last few years.”
Rachael then revealed some of the life lessons she's learned, including trying to prioritize herself more moving forward.
She said, “I think that from things that I would take away would be standing up for myself a bit more and just not losing your confidence or not putting yourself aside for someone else. I think it’s really easy to get lost on putting yourself first at times or making sure that you’re being seen and heard. So, I would definitely make sure I’m still prioritizing myself.”
We appreciate Rachael’s honesty and we’re continuing to wish both her and Matt all the best as they navigate this next chapter.
