At some point in life, most of us have dealt with an annoying neighbor or two. Usually, the options are simple: have a calm talk, try to ignore it, or hope the issue fades on its own.
But this Redditor took a far more creative route. After her neighbors destroyed her garden, she decided to make a small clay doll of each culprit—and put them on display where everyone could see. The neighbors were horrified, convinced she had “voodooed” them.
What followed was pure chaos, and eventually, even the police had to step in. Read the full story below.
The woman’s neighbors destroyed her beloved garden
Image credits: Zakensox
So, she got creative with her revenge and decided to “voodoo” every culprit
Image credits: bialasiewicz / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Zakensox
Disagreements with neighbors are normal, but they can be handled with care
Image credits: Juani Sanchez / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Our homes are deeply personal. They’re where we spend most of our time—our sanctuary, our safe space, and a reflection of who we are. It’s also something we pour our energy and love into.
Clearly, the author of the story above did too. Her creativity, connection to the local culture, and devotion to her garden showed just how much care she put into building her home. You could feel her love in every detail she described.
But as with any home, what happens outside its walls matters just as much as what happens inside. And outside, we’re surrounded by neighbors, people who can shape our sense of comfort and belonging just as much as the space itself.
“Having a friendly relationship with neighbors means cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment for yourself and others,” Janet Bayramyan, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery and self-development, told Better Homes & Gardens.
“Feeling connected to those around you reduces loneliness and increases a sense of belonging in the community,” she added.
So when conflict with neighbors arises, it can be stressful or even scary, especially when it affects the place you call home. Learning to handle these situations really matters, and while some cases (like the author’s) might call for a bit of creative flair, experts say there are plenty of ways to keep the peace in more typical situations.
One of the best things you can do is establish a good relationship early on. This often starts the day you move in.
“Introduce yourself to your neighbors and establish a rapport with them. Perhaps invite them in to see your new place and offer something to eat,” Broker Jennifer Roberts of Coldwell Banker Warburg told Better Homes & Gardens.
You don’t need to be close friends. A simple hello or quick chat can go a long way. Being a good neighbor yourself often sets the tone for how others treat you. Take a moment to observe how your community interacts; some places have clear HOA rules, while others follow unspoken norms. If you see neighbors stopping to chat, it might be a nice opportunity to join in. But if they seem busy or in a rush, it’s best to wait for another time.
“It is crucial that new residents ‘read the room’ when introducing themselves to their new neighbors,” said Sarah Bolor, a licensed clinical social worker. “We do not want to introduce ourselves when a neighbor may appear rushed in the early morning hours or herding their children to afternoon activities. Ideally, weekend mornings or early afternoons tend to be the ideal times for a quick chat.”
When problems do arise, address them early and politely. Lindsey Rae Ackerman, a marriage and family therapist and vice president of clinical services at Clear Behavioral Health in Los Angeles, told Time that using collaborative language instead of blame helps keep things productive.
“It’s rooted in problem-solving,” she said. “It’s not, ‘You did this wrong,’ or, ‘You have to do this better.’” Instead, try: “I’m struggling because of something that’s happening in your space, so I’m coming to you to collaborate on solutions.”
That approach is far more effective than shouting or making accusations, like yelling about noise at the same volume as the music that kept you up all night.
Sometimes, people don’t even realize there’s a problem. Maybe a neighbor doesn’t know their dog barks when they’re gone. You could gently say something like, “You might not be aware, but your dog barks during these hours. Would you be open to finding a way to keep them calm while you’re away?”
Of course, if issues become repetitive, rude, or unsafe, it may be time to involve local authorities. But ideally, with a bit of communication and mutual respect, it’s possible to build a community where neighbors genuinely look out for each other and where home truly feels like home.
Readers had mixed reactions to how the author handled the situation
Later, the woman returned with an update that involved the police
Image credits: Faruk Tokluoğlu / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Zakensox
Readers were relieved to hear she was safe
In a final follow-up, she shared the compromise she reached with her neighbors
Image credits: DragonImages / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Zakensox
Ultimately, readers loved how the situation was resolved
