I’ve been working since age 17. I’ve seen my fair share of different work environments. I’ve worked retail and spent whole days running around, looking for a certain color t-shirt for a demanding customer. I’ve worked in the library through college, spending my days in rows of books, trying to figure out the Dewey decimal system. I’ve worked as cashier for a travel agency, trying to explain to older clientele why we don’t offer our maps in super-sized print. I’ve worked as an intern for a local non-profit, running around what feels like the whole of Knoxville just to drop off donation packets. I’ve also worked for a tech start-up, writing blogs and content that never see the light of day. And I’ve worked remote, sitting at my home computer all day with my only company being my cat.

I’ve worked a lot and I’ve seen a lot. I’ve also been lucky enough to encounter some really good bosses. The kind that don’t just care about your quality of work but also care about you. I’ve had bosses that have become best friends, bosses that inspire. Bosses that I would work my tail off for—because they’re just that good.

But I’ve also had some really bad bosses. Bosses that belittle and make you feel downright awful. It’s those bad bosses that make you feel stuck--that make you feel like you’re a terrible employee and don’t deserve to get out of your current bad employment situation. I’ve been unlucky enough to encounter more than one of these bad bosses so far. And I can tell you, it’s awful. You feel like you’re a never-ending tunnel with no light at the end of it. But eventually, like Elsa says, I “Let it go” and moved on. Bad bosses are like the flu, they make you feel terrible and you just have to give over them. I was able to get over my old bad bosses and so can you.

Here are seven ways that you too can get a no good, terrible boss.

1. Tune out the negativity

Some bosses are just true negative Nancy’s. To them, you can’t do anything right. You order their lunch wrong (I said no mayonnaise!) You don’t dress right (Did you get dressed in the dark this morning?)

Deep breath. I’m getting bad flashbacks just thinking about it. But you’ve got to tune out as much of the negativity as you can and just not let it get to you. Just laugh it off. (And if you’re a natural sassy pants like me, it will kill you and go against every fiber in your being, but you can’t let them win. So just force a laugh and call your BFF and vent on the way home). As much as it sucks, he/she is your boss. So as much as you would love to tell him/her off, you probably shouldn’t do that if you want to keep your job.

2. Be yourself

I know, I know. Be yourself sounds super cliché. But I’ve had one boss that was so terrible that I started second guessing myself. Am I really a good writer? Am I a good employee like I thought I was? Um, duh! But my boss made me think otherwise. Only you know who you are, not even a snarky, bitter boss can tell you otherwise. You’ve worked hard for your experiences and qualifications, and no one can take them away.

3. Make friends with co-workers

When you work for a bad boss, work can seem like a personal hell. You can become isolated and alone in your misery. So make friends. Talk to your co-workers. If your boss is as bad as you think he or she is, most likely, you’ll find some much needed allies and at the least, some lunch buddies.

4. Know when it’s time to love em’ and leave em’

Sometimes enough is enough. If your work situation is making you miserable and seeping into the rest of your life, it’s time to get out of Dodge. Sometimes the only way to defeat a bad boss it to quit. When you know the situation isn’t going to get any better, it’s best to get out than stay in a stressful situation.

5. Leave a review

You’re free! Hallelujah! You’ve put in your notice and you’re done. But you don’t want to leave it at that. You want someone to listen to how bad your experience really was. Most companies have an exit interview, during which you have the opportunity to be open and honest about how bad your boss really was. Or if your company doesn’t have an exit process, ask your boss’s boss if you can send them a written review. There are several ways to make sure you’re heard.

Or if you’re afraid of the consequences of an open bad review, you can always leave an anonymous review through online platforms like Glassdoor Reviews . Whether you leave an in person review, an email review or an anonymous review, there’s a certain satisfaction at sticking it to the ole’ boss with an honest review.

6. Realize you don’t need them for a recommendation

You’ve quit, you’ve left a review, and now you need a new job. You’re updating your resume, and you don’t know if you should list your previous job or not. You were there for over a year and gained a lot of experience, but your boss was a real witch….and probably won’t be the best to leave you a review. So what do you do? Well, this is tricky. You could still list the job but put someone else down as a reference. But it wouldn’t take the potential employer to still track down your previous boss. Or you just leave the job off your resume altogether. So you either risk leaving quality work experience off your resume or risk giving your boss the opportunity to rake you over the coals to a potential employer.

7. No fear, no power

When it comes to a bad boss, the worst thing you can do is buy into their power. After you’ve finally cut ties, do not continue to fear them. After I left my job, I was afraid to apply to certain jobs, afraid to join certain organization, even afraid to talk to mutual friends (yes, I actually had mutual friends with one of my bad bosses) because they were all affiliated with my old boss. Eventually, it just got to be too much. Yes, I probably lost out on some job opportunities because I did list the job on my resume, but I also know that I am one hell of an employee with good education and experience, and I eventually found the perfect job, without needing a reference from the bad ole’ boss.

You don’t need your bad boss. I finally realized that. I chalk up it up as a good learning experience, but that’s all. My old boss doesn’t define me, or my qualifications as an employee. I no longer fear my old bad boss, instead, I’m thriving on my own, and that, my friends, is the best revenge.