If you live with a sibling, you know just how annoying it is when your stuff gets taken, used, or moved to a different closet, for instance. While that is common sibling behavior, other people tend to engage in it, too, making it arguably even more infuriating.

For this redditor, it was a roommate that would constantly “borrow” her belongings, from clothing and shoes, to makeup. The roomie using the latter was the straw that broke the camel’s back – after she helped herself to the OP’s expensive foundation, the redditor decided to teach her a lesson by getting petty revenge.

Someone constantly taking your stuff without permission can get infuriating, be it food, clothing, makeup, or anything else

Image credits: Lina Kivaka/Pexels (not the actual photo)

This woman’s roommate would constantly use her stuff without asking, but that didn’t last long after she “borrowed” some of her makeup

Image credits: cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Whole-Kitchen-3328

Moving in with someone new might take time and effort to adjust to

Image credits: RDNE Stock project/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Whether you’re used to living on your own, with your family members, or a roommate, moving in with someone new can be quite a significant change; for better or worse. It might entail having to rebuild your entire routine—you might not be able to use the shower exactly when you want to or leave your dishes piling up in the sink for as long as you want to—and change some of your old habits, but it also might—as it should—entail having to familiarize yourself with the new roomie’s boundaries.

Needless to say, the boundaries people set vary significantly from person to person: some might want to spend nearly all of their free time lounging in the living room together, while others would rather enjoy peace and quiet behind closed doors alone in their room. But whatever their preference is, it’s important to respect it, the same way it’s important to set healthy and clear boundaries yourself.

According to Psych Central, boundaries refer to what you’re OK and not OK with, and they are necessary because without them, relationships might get exhausting and you yourself might become resentful. The aforementioned source suggests that “When you don’t have solid boundaries, the lines between your needs and desires and those of another person can get blurred. They’re also necessary for preventing emotional exhaustion and keeping you from becoming a doormat.” And that can happen in all sorts of relationships, including family, friends, and, you guessed it, roommates.

It’s important to set clear boundaries when living with a roommate

Image credits: Liza Summer/Pexels (not the actual photo)

As mentioned above, any relationship can benefit from people setting clear boundaries, especially when they share a home. Knowing what the other person expects of you and what you can expect from them can make it easier to avoid conflict and make sure that everyone is comfortable under one roof and has enough space for themselves.

In order to make sure that everyone’s boundaries are clear, it’s crucial to communicate them properly. Discussing the importance of boundaries when sharing a dwelling with a roommate, Bethany Balks, the Residence Education and Housing Services Associate Director for Communications at Michigan State University, suggested that it’s important to start communication as soon as possible upon moving in together.

“It’s okay to have some disagreements, and it doesn’t mean that two people can’t live together because they disagree on something, but the more open they are and willing to have the conversation, (the better). It’s a huge practice that will stay with you for the rest of your life,” Balks told The State News.

The OP shared that she has told her roommate to stop taking her belongings countless times, but trying to communicate with the roomie proved to be pointless. After a while, probably knowing that actions speak louder than words, the OP decided to opt for petty revenge instead, and she carried it out perfectly, as after entering a party with an orange face, the roommate seemingly refrained from overstepping the redditor’s boundaries again.

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Fellow netizens shared their thoughts in the comments, and the OP replied to some of them, providing more details

Some people seemed to have dealt with similar roommates themselves

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