While some might be inclined to see this sort of revenge as a bit childish, the reality is that humans ultimately see some form of retribution as necessary. “Turn the other cheek,” while popularized by the Bible, was not and practically speaking, is not the standard method of dealing with conflicts. Revenge is a central theme in a variety of media, from “The Count of Monte Cristo,” to more modern variants, like the “John Wick ” movie series.
It’s also worth noting that the concept of revenge contains a lot of different variations inside it. On the more negative side, there is revenge as an expression of anger over a slight or some perceived grievance. But humans do have a sense of justice and we tend to have negative emotions about someone “escaping” it. Both of these variantsStudies have shown that holding in feelings of revenge over a long period of time can produce symptoms.
Others brought up ways to protect herself in the future, including a padlock on the garbage bin. While less escalatory, this most likely would also prove a hassle, as it would still need to be left unlocked before garbage day. Similarly, it would also not inflict any harm on the neighbors, who would no doubt continue bothering OP. In the grand scheme of things, her revenge really does fall into the category of petty revenge,.
This last point, while purely psychological, is still important to consider. Being constantly victimized without taking action can wear down a person’s self-confidence and make them feel unhappy. Even taking small actions, like moving the garbage cans strategically, can alleviate this feeling and help her get back at these neighbors for what seems like a constant stream of annoyances.