Mattering

From award-winning journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace, an illuminating look at how being relied upon by others can solve our most pressing personal and societal challenges.

In a world where loneliness, burnout, and disconnection have reached crisis levels, Jennifer Breheny Wallace offers a transformative solution: mattering. Through vivid storytelling and groundbreaking research, Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Purpose and Connection reveals how feeling seen, needed, and valued isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for our wellbeing and society's future.

Filled with stories of individuals who have discovered the power of mattering, from the story of a fire chief who re-energised his emotionally exhausted team by helping them see their long-term impact, to a woman who transformed her grief into a movement helping thousands rebuild their lives, Wallace shows how mattering can be cultivated in every sphere of life. She demonstrates that when people feel they truly matter—that their presence and contributions are noticed, needed, and missed when they aren’t there—everything changes. Productivity soars, relationships deepen, and communities strengthen.

Drawing on compelling research and intimate portraits of people who've discovered the power of mattering, Wallace provides a practical blueprint for creating lives of deeper meaning and connection. She reveals:

• How small acts of recognition can transform workplace culture and prevent burnout
• Why helping others often energises us rather than depletes us
• How to build "mattering spaces" that foster genuine connection in our communities
• Practical strategies for navigating life transitions while maintaining our sense of purpose

Perfect for readers of Brené Brown and Adam Grant, this timely book offers both hope and concrete solutions for our modern crisis of disconnection. Mattering isn't just another self-help guide—it's a revolutionary framework for rebuilding the connections that make life meaningful and creating positive change that ripples outward from ourselves to our relationships, workplaces, and communities. With clarity and compassion, Wallace shows us that the antidote to our cultural crisis of isolation isn't to turn inward, but to recognise how much we matter to each other. This book will forever change how you think about your role in the lives of others and offer a path to a more connected, purposeful life.