Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James at the ‘Sports Illustrated’ Club SI event ahead of the F1 Grand Prix on Nov. 17, 2023 in Las Vegas.Photo:Ethan Miller - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty
Ethan Miller - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty
Life following a breakup can feel uncertain, especially when you don’t see the split coming.
Rachael Kirkconnellfinds herself in that exact spot thisValentine’s Dayafter her relationship with former BachelorMatt Jamesended last monthfollowingfour years together.
“I was surprised,” Kirkconnell, 28, tells PEOPLE. “The whole thing’s just been really weird because one, I didn’t expect anything at all. Then, two, just the way he went about it and the way it was so public was really hard to deal with and go through the motions. It was one of those things where I’m not registering.”
But this Valentine’s Day, Kirkconnell partnered with Amazon to share herGalentine’s Day gift guideand prove that “it’s a great holiday to show love to your family, your girlfriends or yourself,” she says. “It’s just a day of love and it doesn’t need to be targeted right onto you and your significant other.”
The gift guide includes aVictoria’s Secret pajama set,reusable Valentine’s Day straws, anEmber mugthat Kirkconnell calls “life-changing,” watches fromAnne Klein,CasioandFossilanda Kindle.
“I used to be really into the rom-com stuff, but I’m in the mood right now where I just want to reread things that I love because I’m wanting to distract myself,” Kirkconnell, who has aKindle Unlimitedsubscription, says. “I want the book to be something that I know will bring me comfort. I absolutely loveSeven Husbands of Evelyn Hugoand another one of my favorites isDaisy Jones & The Six. Definitely not big on rom-com stuff right now.”
Rachael Kirkconnell at Amazon’s Galentine’s Day Staycation in New York City.Sophie Sahara/Amazon
Sophie Sahara/Amazon
The reality star has also been leaning on friends and family who have “been there for me since Day 1 through all the good and the bad and beforeThe Bachelor,” she says. “They know how to be there for me, and it’s been a lot easier knowing that I have people in my corner and that I’m not alone, even though it can feel like it sometimes.”
Afterspeaking about the breakupon theCall Her Daddypodcast on Jan. 29, Kirkconnell realized that “a lot of women could relate” to her experience.
“That’s why I did that interview and why I wanted to speak up, instead of just let it blow over was because I wanted to stand up for myself. I wanted closure. I wanted to move on,” Kirkconnell says. “And I also told myself there were so many people that were fans of us or cared about our relationship and I wanted to give them those answers that they had so many questions to.”
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TheBacheloralum also wanted to be a positive force for anyone “going through a breakup or going through a really difficult time,” Kirkconnell says. “It will get better and it’ll get easier and it’ll be okay.”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James at the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal on Jan. 21, 2023 in Dubai.Jeff Spicer/Getty
Jeff Spicer/Getty
In the meantime, Kirkconnell will be leaning into self-care and staying cozy with some of her faves like theBiodance collagen mask,SKINRxLAB MadeCera CreamandDearfoams slippers, all of which appear on her Amazon Galentine’s Day gift guide.
“I’m really big on Korean skincare,” Kirkconnell says. “At night, I could spend an hour doing all the things to feel good before bed, [the Biodance] face mask being one of those. You can sleep in it and then you can wake up the next day, peel it right off and you have the glowiest skin. It is fun to have a lot of time to myself now.”
source: people.com
