Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose
From award-winning writer Jennifer Breheny Wallace, a deeply consequential look at restoring closeness in our relationships and how feeling connected – mattering – can bring purpose and happiness to our lives.
‘Beautifully written and deeply felt… explores one of the most fundamental human needs – to be valued for who we actually are’ Susan Cain
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-energized 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 energizes 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 recognize 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.
‘Beautifully written and deeply felt, Mattering explores one of the most fundamental yet under-appreciated human needs – to be valued for who we actually are. Jennifer Wallace gives readers the insights we need to understand each other, and the actions we can take to enhance each other’s lives’ Susan Cain, #1 bestselling author of Quiet and Bittersweet -
‘Mattering is one of those rare books that hits both the head and the heart. Jennifer Wallace weaves beautiful storytelling with rigorous science into a compelling call-to-action on how to build a meaningful life. This is an urgent, culture-shifting book that will fundamentally impact the way you live, lead, and love’ Sahil Bloom, Sunday Times bestselling author of The 5 Types of Wealth -
‘Too many of us feel disconnected, even from the people we love. Mattering is a powerful guide to restoring closeness in our relationships, cultivating compassion for ourselves, and creating the deep connections we all crave’ Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone -
'With thoughtful analysis and heartfelt stories, Jennifer Wallace helps us understand what is at the root of so many of our modern day struggles. At a time when so many people are feeling invisible, Mattering is an essential guide for how to restore meaning, comfort, and joy to our lives' Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA. 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States -
‘This book is a road map for living a happy and fulfilled life. It will not only deepen your relationships, it will also change how you see yourself. Mattering should be required reading for everyone!’ Ina Garten, bestselling author of The Barefoot Contessa -
‘The most consequential book I have encountered in years, Mattering is a big idea laid out in fine, persuasive detail where something as simple as a clementine will tell you everything you need to know about flourishing’ Kelly Corrigan, bestselling author of The Middle Place and Tell Me More -