Are you someone who is trying to stay true to yourself? Are you looking for direction but feeling pulled in a million directions? Do you try to do the right thing, even when it's not the popular thing? By the time Madi Prewett made it to the finale of Season 24 of The Bachelor, she had taken a lot of heat for staying true to herself, her faith, and her personal choices. Now she's here with a book to help us do the same: Made for This Moment: Standing Firm With Strength, Grace, and Courage. In it, she opens up about her story and offers all kinds of advice—and beautiful turns of phrase—to remind us that where and who we are is exactly where and who we're supposed to be. Come for the strength of her convictions, stay for her grace in sharing her beliefs.
Each chapter of Made for This Moment ends with a list of challenges to help readers apply the messages and lessons of her stories in their own lives. A chapter about discipline, for example, has this as a challenge prompt: "Create your own nonnegotiable schedule and stick to it! In creating this plan, you will need to prioritize the most important first, then add in the time-sensitive tasks. Once you have created a schedule for yourself, give it to others so they can hold you accountable." Honestly, this is something we could all start doing…Right now! Yesterday! Years ago!
Through the lens of the Book of Esther in the Bible, Madi shares some of these nuggets of wisdom about finding your courage and staying true to yourself.
"Who you are when no one is watching is who you will be when everyone is watching."
Madi learned this quickly. As soon as she got to Bachelor Nation, she had to make a decision to stick to her personal values, even though millions of viewers would be watching and judging her every move. Did she receive horrible comments about her choices? You bet. Does she regret it? Not a bit.
"What you are waiting on is not as valuable as the person you are becoming in the meantime."
Life is a journey, y'all, and while the destination is important, it's the moments in between that really matter. Every step of the way, you're learning about who you are and who you want to be. Embrace those steps, even—especially—if there are stumbles. One day you'll look back in awe at how far you have come.
"Discipline requires you to place your steadfast values over your fleeting feelings."
Being reckless sounds fun in the moment, but the regret will last so much longer than the moment. Madi had to remain disciplined in her relationship with Peter on The Bachelor, but also in so many other aspects of her life. As we all do.
"By holding on to unforgiveness, you end up being the one held captive."
Okay, way to stab us right in the feels, Madi. Choosing to not forgive someone is fine, but holding onto that feeling is going to end up hurting you in the long run. Forgive or don't forgive—and then let it be. Grow. Move on. Staying in that negativity is poison.
"The people in your life will either inspire you or drain you."
Along with all this internal work you're always doing on yourself, be sure you're surrounding yourself with people who boost you up rather than keep you down. Keep negativity away from your circle, and more positivity will come to you. Same goes for your internet circles! Block out the haters.
"The losses turn into lessons, and the lessons turn into blessings."
Madi's experience with The Bachelor could have ended when the cameras turned off. But she's taken that journey as a means to grow and inspire others to do the same. If you only take one piece of advice away from her book, let this one be it.
If Madi's story on The Bachelor spoke to you you in any way, her inspirational memoir, Made for This Moment, will help you realize you're not alone and will show you the benefits of being true to yourself, even when it's hard.