Matt James Spotted Smiling After Rachael Kirkconnell Split

Matt James is clearly trying to look on the positive side of life despite his recent split … smiling through his difficult breakup with Rachael Kirkconnell on a trip to Nashville.

TMZ has obtained pictures of the reality television star out in the popular Southern City Sunday … walking through the streets in a bowler cap with a couple of pals.

James looks like he’s talking amiably with friends in the photos … though eyewitnesses say he seemed like he wanted to keep to himself.

We’re told James was walking down Broadway — the big main street in the city — and, his pals appeared to be giving him a tour of the city … pointing out different landmarks to the former ‘Bachelor’ star.

It looks like Matt’s avoiding NYC for now — where he lived with Rachael until the two broke up last month.

As we previously reported … Matt announced the breakup in a social media post — writing a message to God to give both him and Rachael strength in the wake of their breakup.

James’ public post took Kirkconnell off-guard … ’cause she says she found out about it just before hopping on a 12-hour flight — a pretty stressful experience.

Despite their split, Rachael has denied all rumors of infidelity … saying it just felt like Matt was never going to be ready to commit — so they had to call it quits.