When Healing Gets Petty: How One Redditor’s Free Sticker Prank Sparked a Debate on Revenge Therapy
Sometimes, healing from childhood trauma doesn’t look the way you’d expect. For one Redditor, it came wrapped in a stack of free sticker mailers—20 to 30, to be exact—all addressed (with a purposeful typo) to her narcissistic father’s apartment mailbox. The post, which quickly climbed to 500+ upvotes on r/PettyRevenge, charmed, amused, and sharply divided the community: was this an act of harmless, therapeutic rebellion… or a sign that therapy had gone off the rails?
The story begins with years of abuse and a final, no-contact break. But it’s what came next—petty revenge, therapist approved—that turned this post into a lightning rod for debate and a showcase of Reddit’s finest armchair psychology.
From Trauma to Telemarketers: The Art of Petty Payback
Our protagonist, u/AslansGirl89, shared a harrowing background: years of neglect, psychological warfare, and outright threats from her controlling, narcissist father. After a final, chilling conversation (“I am who I am and YOU’RE not gonna change me!”), she cut all ties. Enter a new trauma therapist, who—perhaps unexpectedly—encouraged her to feel her anger, not suppress it. The idea? Find a small, safe way to express it. No fire, no fury—just a little inconvenience.
In classic r/PettyRevenge style, u/AslansGirl89 went down the rabbit hole of free sticker websites. She signed her father up for dozens under a slightly misspelled name—an extra twist of the knife, knowing how much it would irk him. “He HATED it when people would misspell or mispronounce his name,” she giggled. The payoff? Months later, after years of hoarder inertia, her parents abruptly moved apartments. Was it the sticker deluge? She’d like to think so.
Internet Jury: Harmless Fun or Unhealthy Coping?
The real fireworks started in the comments. “If you’re able to get the new address, start the process again. They can run, but they can’t hide,” joked u/Cute_Recognition_880, echoing the post’s playful spirit. Others delighted in the harmless chaos: “That’s hilarious and very on-brand for petty revenge,” said u/Slight-Book2296, “If they’re gonna make life hell, a little harmless chaos following them feels fair.”
But not everyone was on board. Skeptics raised ethical and therapeutic concerns. “No therapist in the world would ever persuade you to do something like this,” insisted u/krissycole87, warning that revenge only keeps abusers “living rent free in your head.” Others, like u/BethJ2018, doubted the professionalism of the therapist: “They don’t encourage their patients to be passive-aggressive like that; it’s not healthy.”
Yet, a surprising number of commenters with experience in therapy (and even CPTSD) offered a more nuanced perspective. u/Acceptable_Rip_1043 explained, “It can actually be therapeutic…the no one gets hurt kind of revenge. Brain hates unfinished things and will return to it again and again (trauma) so it helps the person feel less helpless and provide a feeling of control and close the loop so the brain can stop.” They cautioned, though, that this isn’t for everyone, and it’s best when guided by a professional.
Others pointed out that “alternative rebellion” is a known, if controversial, therapeutic tool. As u/twiddlywerp put it: “There is a whole section of DBT on alternative rebellion that would very much be in line with something like this…The more you do therapy, the more you realize one size does not fit all.”
Drawing the Line: Where Does Petty End and Pro Begin?
Was this harmless fun, or the dark side of healing? The debate raged on. Some, like u/dire-raven-x, argued that true revenge is living well and moving on: “Nothing comes close to revenge on parents like actually doing better than they ever dreamed of, all while not talking to them.” Others advocated for the “ice-cold dish” approach—no contact, no energy wasted.
Meanwhile, the OP herself jumped into the fray to clarify. “She [the therapist] didn’t persuade me but it naturally came up in our conversation…all she really did was give me permission to do it! I know that I didn’t necessarily need her permission but it felt nice to have it.” She acknowledged the action was petty, not life-changing, and that most of her healing work was far deeper than a sticker prank.
Still, a handful of commenters warned about slippery slopes. u/antandants raised concerns about developing “narcissistic traits” through petty revenge, and questioned whether this was a healthy outlet for anger. The OP, in a heartfelt reply, explained her empathy even for her parents, and reaffirmed her commitment to not repeating the generational cycle of harm.
The Sweet (or Sticky) Taste of Vindication
In the end, what’s the verdict? Was this a harmless, empowering prank? A therapeutic experiment gone awry? Or just a little sticker-fueled giggle in the long journey of healing from trauma?
The beauty of Reddit is that it’s never just one thing. The comments reveal the complexity of trauma, the diversity of healing, and the sometimes blurry line between petty and pro revenge. Some found catharsis in the story; others saw a cautionary tale. Nearly everyone agreed—whatever else you do, don’t let your abusers keep the keys to your peace.
So, next time you get a sample pack in the mail with a suspicious typo…maybe just smile and remember: sometimes, healing is a little bit petty, and that’s okay.
What’s your verdict—harmless fun or unhealthy habit? Share your thoughts below! And if you want to try the sticker trick, OP even dropped a link: https://www.freeflys.com/free-samples/free-stickers/ (use responsibly!).
Original Reddit Post: Petty Revenge with a little bit of Pro Revenge? I like to think so!