Frequently Asked Questions

That‘s a lot of P-words! Phew!
1. All customers should review our FAQ and terms and conditions/ privacy page to best understanding all aspects of the Petty Parcel service.
2. Upon completion, select the item or items in the shop that best matches your needs / sentiments.
3. We will then collect your personal message and any necessary mailing information in order to customize and post your order. 

4.  The items you select will then either be mailed to a recipient of your choice or mailed directly to you based on the information provided. 

Being petty, when used in a lighthearted, controlled way, can sometimes be part of the healing process from emotional wounds caused by others. While it’s important not to dwell in negativity, here’s how playful pettiness can contribute to healing:

1. Reclaiming Power

Petty acts can offer a sense of control and agency in situations where you felt powerless. It allows you to express emotions in a way that feels less vulnerable but still releases some frustration.

2. Humor as a Coping Mechanism

Humor, even in the form of snarky or petty remarks, can be a way to deflect pain. Laughing at the absurdity of someone’s actions or poking fun at the situation can create emotional distance, making it easier to move on.

3. Releasing Tension

Sometimes you need a harmless outlet for bottled-up anger. Being petty allows you to express what you’re feeling without going to extremes, and in some cases, it prevents an outburst or deeper resentment.

4. Validation of Your Feelings

Being petty acknowledges your hurt or frustration in a way that feels real and personal to you. It can act as a form of self-validation: “Yes, this person wronged me, and I have the right to feel upset.”

5. Boundaries with a Smile

Petty remarks or actions can sometimes serve as boundary-setting in a non-confrontational way. It’s a way of saying, “I’m done with your nonsense,” but with a playful twist. This can help you reinforce your limits without escalating conflict.

6. Non-Violent Expression

Pettiness, when used wisely, can be a non-violent way of releasing hurt feelings. It’s a step away from confrontation or aggressive retaliation, allowing you to let off steam in a manner that doesn’t cause harm to others or escalate the situation.

7. Reducing the Emotional Weight

By making light of the situation through petty jokes or actions, you can gradually start to see the person or issue as less significant. This can shrink their emotional hold on you, making it easier to focus on yourself and your growth.

8. Channeling Hurt into Creativity

Some people turn to petty actions or letters (like Petty Parcels!) as a way to express hurt in a creative, harmless form. Channeling your emotions into something productive or funny can be a cathartic experience, giving you a sense of accomplishment while processing the pain.

9. Recognizing Ridiculousness

Sometimes, being petty helps you see how ridiculous or trivial certain conflicts or people’s behavior really are. It can help you take a step back and realize, “I don’t need to take this so seriously,” which can be an important step in letting go.

10. Transition to Forgiveness

Pettiness can be the bridge between anger and forgiveness. By first allowing yourself to feel a little petty, you may reach a point where you’ve lightened your emotional load enough to eventually let go of the hurt entirely.

In short, being petty in a controlled, humorous way can serve as a stepping stone in processing your emotions. It’s about balancing humor with healing, letting you express yourself without becoming stuck in bitterness.

Short answer? Nope! - Petty Parcel sentiments are based on very common and natural human frustrations that we sometimes have with others. Going through the motions of buying a Petty Parcel and writing your letter, even if you don’t mail it, can be cathartic because it allows you to actively process and release your emotions in a safe, controlled way.

Here’s why:

1. Emotional Release

Writing out your feelings, even in a snarky or petty form, helps you express what’s been bottled up. The act of putting thoughts into words gives those emotions a voice, allowing you to let go of some of the anger or frustration without confrontation.

2. Physical Action Equals Mental Closure

Physically buying the parcel and writing the letter mimics taking action against the hurt, symbolically giving you the power to “do something” about the situation. Even if you don’t send it, the process of acting on your feelings can provide a sense of closure.

3. Creative Expression

Crafting the perfect petty letter or package can be a fun and creative outlet. It channels your emotions into something productive, turning hurt into humor or sarcasm, which can lighten the emotional weight of the situation.

4. Perspective Shift

Sometimes, by the time you’ve finished writing the letter, you may realize that the act of expressing your frustration is enough, and the urge to actually send it fades. This helps shift your perspective from seeking revenge or validation from the other person to realizing that you don’t need their response to feel better.

5. Taking Control Without Consequences

Writing the letter but not sending it gives you a sense of control over the situation without risking escalation or negative consequences. You’ve said your piece, you’ve let out the petty, and you don’t have to worry about backlash or regrets later.

6. Mindful Reflection

Going through the motions forces you to reflect on why the situation bothers you. By the time you’ve written the letter, you’ve likely processed those feelings enough to understand whether it’s worth your energy to hold on to the frustration—or let it go.

In the end, the act of writing the letter can be the release you need, and the decision not to mail it becomes a sign that you’ve taken back control over how much power that hurt has over you.

To send any mail without crossing any legal boundaries, the key is to keep it humorous, light-hearted, and free of threats, defamation, or harassment. Here’s how you can do it safely:

1. Stay Civil: Avoid anything that could be considered defamatory, abusive, or threatening. Keep the tone playful rather than hostile.

2. Anonymity (Legally): You can use a pseudonym, but make sure the return address is legitimate. Using fake return addresses that could mislead postal services might be illegal.

3. Focus on Humor: Make the message more about being funny, snarky, or sarcastic rather than attacking the person’s character. Think of it as light teasing rather than malicious.

4. Keep it Generic: Avoid mentioning private or sensitive details about the recipient. Generic jokes or commentary are less likely to be seen as personal attacks.

5. Avoid Stalking or Harassment: Don’t repeatedly send mail to the same person if they ask you to stop, and don’t use it to invade their privacy.

Someone can legally send a letter on behalf of someone else in the postal system, provided a few key rules are followed to avoid any potential trouble:

1. Permission: The person sending the letter should have the consent of the individual they are sending it for. Whether it’s friendly or professional arrangement, make sure the recipient knows who it’s from.

2. No False Representation: The sender should not impersonate the person(s) they’re sending on behalf of, especially in legal or financial matters. This would be considered fraud. For example, signing or pretending to be someone else without their knowledge or permission can be illegal.

3. Return Address: It’s best to use a legitimate return address to avoid any issues with undelivered mail. Sending a letter with a fake return address could cause problems, especially if the mail needs to be returned to the sender.

4. Legality of Content: We review the message content and reserve the right to ensure the letter’s content does not violate any laws (e.g., threats, defamation, or anything considered harassment).

Shipping times depend on the destination, shipping carriers, and includes any necessary review of content for term and agreement or privacy policy requirements. After receipt of payment, we will provide both confirmation of your order and confirmation of order shipment for all products.  We do offer delivery confirmation for an additional charge on our Petty Parcels (physical package) products. 

We’re pretty petty, but not petty enough to make it all up! Here are 15 (non-petty) academic articles we collected that explore the benefits of journaling and similar healthy outlets for emotional healing. We always encourage you to do your own research , check out the resources listed on our pledge page and do what is best for your own mental health. 

1. Baikie, K. A., & Wilhelm, K. (2020). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.104.001016

2. Groth, N., Schnyder, N., Kaess, M., Markovic, A., Rietschel, L., Moser, S., & Michel, C. (2021). A meta-analysis of the effects of expressive writing on mental health: Expressive writing improves mood and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Clinical Psychology Review, 88, 102038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102038

3. Gortner, E.-M., & Pennebaker, J. W. (2020). The language of trauma: Writing as a path to healing. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(9), 1710-1719. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23019

4. Legerski, J., Bigfoot, D. S., & Goklish, N. (2021). Writing for recovery: The therapeutic benefits of expressive writing for survivors of trauma. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 22(2), 207-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2021.1862770

5. Milligan, A., & Miller, E. (2022). The role of creative outlets in healing: A review of narrative and expressive interventions for trauma. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 69(4), 482-493. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000483

6. Pennebaker, J. W., & Seagal, J. D. (2023). Expressive writing and emotional release: Bridging psychological and physiological health. Health Psychology Review, 17(3), 445-461. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2022.2100128

7. Smyth, J. M., & Arigo, D. (2021). Writing about your life: A meta-analysis of expressive writing and its impact on well-being. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(2), 203-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620950628

8. Ullrich, P. M., & Lutgendorf, S. K. (2020). Journaling and emotional health: How expressive writing can improve emotional and physical health outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 43(1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00068-w

9. Whitlock, J. L., & Purington, A. (2021). Expressive writing and self-compassion: How journaling helps regulate negative emotions and build resilience. Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(4), 492-502. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1871947

10. Zlomke, K. R., & Jeter, B. W. (2022). Writing to heal: A randomized controlled trial of expressive writing in trauma survivors. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14(3), 366-375. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001223

11. Meads, C., & Nouwen, A. (2023). Expressive writing as a low-intensity intervention for anxiety and depression in non-clinical populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 317, 109-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.015

12. Murphy, S. A., & Young, S. B. (2022). Writing for resilience: The therapeutic role of journaling in overcoming trauma. Journal of Trauma & Loss, 27(2), 107-126. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2022.2019308

13. Roepke, A. M., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2021). Journaling as positive intervention: Writing for well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(2), 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1791942

14. Wyman, B., & Hsieh, S. (2020). Writing to heal: Benefits of expressive journaling on mental health in older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 24(7), 1235-1243. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1716139

15. Zapata, C. B., & Robinson, M. D. (2022). Exploring the links between emotional expression and physical health through narrative journaling. Journal of Health Psychology, 27(1), 63-75. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211040943

In order to protect the peace and legal concern for all involved, the very petty staff of Petty Parcels, LLC reserves and maintains all rights to reject and refuse to complete any request that comes into conflict with the terms, conditions or privacy policies listed on the website. Additionally, for conflicts unlisted but raised by any involved party, Petty Parcels staff further reserves the rights to investigate and conclude all final decisions.  If you believe a decision has been in error or unjustly, you may send a request for review to pettyparcels@gmail.com with “ Review Request” in the subject line.

In most cases the typical outcome is a no action reset, meaning no item is sold, customized, or mailed and a refund or store credit may be issued.