Just about Special Forces VIPS

I have good news: I am alive again after last week's episode. It was a close call, I must honestly admit, but thanks to the help of a calming meditation and about six breathing exercises, I have climbed back on top. Erik would be proud of me. At least, that's what I like to tell myself. So where I ended last week with a premium hyperventilation attack, that is not going to happen now. I am sure of it. Are you watching episode 6 with me?

1. That poor Amin is completely exhausted. You would almost start hyperventilating with him. Almost, right? It's still going well here.

2. Here comes the second one: Michael is going home. Personally, I would have gone home at the slightest bit of physical discomfort, but he chooses to leave only when his hands are literally about to fall off. There has to be a difference, we say.

3. Oh! Erik gives a top life advice: giving up = overcoming. I'll remember that for the next time I'm dragged to a party against my will: sorry guys, I really have to overcome something right now. Have fun.

4. Sorry. Do they now have to sleep in a wet and cold forest on a layer of moss? WAA-ROM?!

5. Okay, but seriously: who run the world? Anouk, Lotte, and Jorien run the world. While all the men drop out in droves, you don't hear those girls complaining and they simultaneously do everything the men can no longer handle. Girlpower.

6. ‘They can take a breather and sleep, even if it's just for half an hour.’ Half an hour of sleep?! On a cold and dirty forest mat? This is even too much in Special Forces land.

7. Oh hell no, there's also someone snoring as if their life depends on it. What. A. Mess. I am convinced that this was once a medieval torture technique.

8. Sander advises to press the pause button in this situation and to maintain calm and overview. Sander, I say this with love: JUST BE NORMAL.

9. Uhm, Jorien has never been in a panic? So a panic attack or two is not part of everyone's daily ritual? Good to know.

10. Haha, she really wants everyone to keep their mouth shut after an hour and a half of sleep: ‘Save your energy, talking is also energy.’ I won't lie: I am like this after eight hours of uninterrupted sleep too.

11. In the category ‘dare to ask’: is that medic just sitting in his little hut all day waiting for someone to twist their knee? I hope he brought plenty of Sudoku books.

12. One more question: what would make the angry men of the staff laugh? Cat videos? Articles about their working methods written by the most unathletic woman in the country? The tickle death? Can someone clarify this?

13. Ugh, of course, discipline is the greatest form of self-love, Erik. One moment, I am just closing the door to my exploded kitchen. What else did you say about improving yourself?

14. The staff is a big fan of wet and dark forests. I don't know if they are single, but I can already picture their Tinder bios: 1.85 – Special Forces Operator – Forest enthusiast.

15. That working out at every free moment. I think this is the diet of the century, but I don't find this necessary (she said with a plate of fries and a croquette sandwich on her lap).

16. Haha, the little hat is back! I don't know where the staff gets their comedic satisfaction from, but I really laugh out loud every time.

17. Oh. My. God. I. Am. Cracking. That whistle did not go smoothly, did it, Eer? You heard it yourself. It doesn't matter, failure = energy. Or something like that.

Yes, can I just get a round of applause for myself? I am still here, my heart rate is still low, and I only had to take a calm breath about five times to avoid going into a panic attack. I almost want to give up on the new season. Almost, not completely. Never completely. I am already looking forward to next week (but I am also a bit relieved when this is over). See you then!

Image: SHOTBYSUD