I have recently been thinking a lot about mattering. Does it matter if I can’t get to the meeting? Does it matter if I don’t exercise? Will I matter and have made a difference when I am no longer here on earth?
I have come to the conclusion that mattering does matter. People want to know they matter.
I overheard a team member speaking about welcoming back a resident who had been in the hospital over the weekend. Although the resident was weak from being sick, she lit up with delight knowing she had been missed and that she mattered.
What is mattering?
“Mattering” can mean many different things — and no, I am not talking about solids and liquids in the scientific realm. I mean mattering in psychology:
● Interpersonal mattering — feeling important to family, friends, or partners
● Societal mattering — feeling valued by society or a community
● Occupational mattering — feeling that your work and contributions are meaningful
● Existential mattering — feeling that your life has purpose and significance
● Self-mattering — believing you are worthy and important to yourself
Have you ever thought about this?
A wonderful example I saw recently was at Arbour Creek Care Centre in Hamilton, Ontario. They implemented a large welcome sign for people moving into the community. You may wonder: does something like this really help? Does it make people feel welcomed?
I was sitting near the sign when I saw a family coming out from the home area after leaving their mother in our care. The two sons stopped, took a photo of the welcome sign, and talked about sending it to the rest of the family.
So the answer is yes. It mattered to them and gave comfort.
Small things — like saying hello to someone in line at the grocery store or putting up a welcome sign with a person’s name on it — truly matter.
I guess if there was a moral to this story it would be simple: make people feel welcome, because it matters.
Sandy Croley, Director of Programs and Rehabilitation at Kindera Living