Why Mariana is a boss – And what you can learn from her Robinson tactic

Nope, the devil doesn’t wear Prada but a red cape and is conspiring in the sea with wild spiky hair. You either find her fan-fucking-tastic or get the creeps from her appearance: Mariana Verkerk. ‘There’s only one crazy bitch on this island and that’s me.’  Joejoe. Time for the life lessons we can learn from this lone wolf.

You are not designed for everyone to like you
Come on. Please don’t. Always wanting to be liked is very annoying. You constantly try to meet expectations without really knowing what exactly you need to meet. If you feel good about yourself, that need for validation is not necessary at all. Be more like Mariana: don’t care.

If you can’t win the game, change the rules

What makes ‘underdogs’ often able to do much more than we initially think? And why does the underdog win more often than you would think? If you can’t win the traditional battle, change the rules of the game or better: change the battle. Be like Mariana: make your own rules.

Bow down b*tches, you’re a queen

And you should radiate that at all times… Including a red cape and a carefully collected walking stick. Be like Mariana: don’t leave the house today without a cape.

Fake it until you make it

In times of tactical play, there’s nothing wrong with a little manipulation and instilling fear from time to time. Off camera, she told Kim during the eating challenge: ‘I ate everything, everything, EVERYTHING they put in front of me. A little intimidation, because that was not my plan at all.’  Be like Mariana: grab those pussies.

You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm
Especially with the Dutch ‘just act normal, then you’re already crazy enough’ mentality, taking good care of yourself is seen as something bad. And that my friends… is complete bullshit. When you take care of yourself, you actually become happier, which means you can give more to your surroundings. You’re not an asshole if you think of yourself first. Be like Mariana: put on your oxygen mask first, then help others.

Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies…

When Akwasi thought he had thrown her out of the game but she casually came back up that mountain with that grin. ‘Here I come you, son of a bitch.’ And that she then stood in front of him and deliberately blocked that view and started to annoy. HAHAHA. Be like Mariana: keep your enemies seriously close…

I may look calm, but in my head I’ve killed you three times
Work on that poker face, honey. You’re going to need it in this life. Be like Mariana: whatever you do, denying until death is the best tactic.

And now with screeching tires to that final, Ms. Verkerk. Can’t wait.

Image: RTL Beeldbank/Martijn van Gelder