Mattering: The Secret To Building A Life Of Deep Connection And Purpose

*Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose* by Jennifer Breheny Wallace is a thoughtful, research-backed guide to living with more meaning in an age of loneliness, burnout and social disconnection. Blending narrative nonfiction with practical psychology, Wallace explores the surprisingly powerful idea of “mattering”: feeling noticed, needed and valued in everyday life.

Through stories drawn from workplaces, families and communities, she shows how small moments of recognition can shift team culture, deepen relationships and restore a sense of purpose. Along the way, Wallace unpacks why helping others can be energising rather than draining, and how to create “mattering spaces” that support genuine connection—especially during life transitions.

Ideal for readers who enjoy wellbeing and personal development books, social science, and books like Brené Brown or Adam Grant, this is a warm, clear-eyed read with plenty to apply straight away.

Discover how a richer, more connected life might start with one simple change in attention.