When our neighbor refused to turn off his bright floodlights at night, my husband and I had to find a solution that wouldn’t escalate the situation. We wanted to resolve the issue while maintaining harmony in the neighborhood.

When the Thompsons moved in, we quickly got along with Susan and Mark. However, Susan’s fear of the dark led to the installation of glaring floodlights over their garage. These lights were so bright that they lit up our bedroom, making it impossible to sleep. Despite our attempts to communicate with Susan, she insisted, “I need them. They make me feel safe when Mark is away.”

We tried blackout shutters, heavy drapes, and even rearranged our bedroom, but nothing worked. Frustrated, I approached Mark, but he also put Susan’s comfort above our need for rest, stating, “These lights make her feel secure, and that’s what matters.”

One day, with Gia’s encouragement, I loosened the lights just enough so they flickered and went out. This brought us some relief, but Mark eventually tightened them, and the cycle continued for over a year. Finally, after a casual conversation where I suggested vibrations from street traffic might be loosening the bulbs, Mark decided the lights weren’t worth the hassle and stopped using them.

Our creative and patient approach solved the problem without causing any ill will. Sometimes, a little imagination is all you need to keep the peace.