ASMR, otherwise known as autonomous sensory meridian response, is, according to Wikipedia, “an experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia.” There is a huge online community of so-called ASMRtists, some with over a million followers, dedicated to creating relaxing videos featuring various triggers, such as tapping, whispering, mouth sounds, and drawing, among many others.
I’m a total ASMR devotee, to the point of dependency. I cannot now go got sleep without listening to someone softly talking nonsense about their day, or tapping on make up products. Good lord, do I love a good make up tapping video. But recently, I more or less abandoned all ASMR channels other than Goodnight Moon ASMR. Goodnight Moon is the ASMR channel of make-up vlogger Erin Timoney, whose make up channel Freshblush boasts over 200,000 subscribers (she’s got some DOPE looks on there). However, Goodnight Moon has now overtaken Freshblush as the more successful channel, with 305,998 subscribers at the time of writing, and for good reason. While the channel features standard soft spoken, rambling videos such as ‘ASMR Show & Tell‘, and ‘My Everyday Make Up Routine,’ and literary inspired roleplays such as ‘Howl’s Moving Castle: Sophie’s Hat Shop‘, her strength lies in her Babblebrook Series, a collection of videos following the various inhabitants of the fictional town of Harbington, and often taking place at the Babblebrook Inn.
Throughout the many videos, the viewer takes on the persona of a weary traveler who first visits the Willow Witch’s Shop, which features Erin in full witchy regalia, burning candles and showing her wears, including a ‘Hacklberry dragon egg from up North.’ Details like this pattern the videos, and are usually accompanied by beautiful props made by Erin herself. The follow video, the traveler has made their way to the Babblebrook Inn, where they are tended to by the charming innkeeper, Bridget, depicted, as all characters are, by Timoney, this time rosy cheeked, curly haired and chatty. Throughout what currently stands at twelve videos, Timoney takes on various personas, each acted out seamlessly, with their own elaborate and convincing costumes and props and meticulously curated sets.
On top of being enormously relaxing, the story lines become more complex as the videos progress, with more and more characters introduced, such as Maybell the botanist and fantastical creature collector, Mrs. Pippetwhistle, the gossiping, eccentric tea shop proprietor, and Peter, a bearded, edgy misfit, among others, as well as more maps drawn and insinuations made about the goings-on in Harbington that continue to intrigue the watcher. I find myself often fighting sleep in order to pay attention to the references being made and predic who might be the protagonist of the next video. In the comments, devoted fans ruminate on the various meanings of the videos contents, and discuss the possibilities for future videos, and where the story might go next.
The characters, settings and storylines could give any fantasy series a run for their money, and Erin’s near flawless execution of each video continues to draw an increasing number of viewers. Due to the care and attention that goes into each video, often there are breaks of several months between Babblebrook installments, and we’re definitely due another soon. If you’re finding reading before bed isn’t doable because your brain is ticking over at too fast a pace and everything is stressful and overwhelming, this is the perfect series for you. In fact, even if you’re feeling emotionally stable and generally well adjusted (fair play to you) the videos are still highly enjoyable and worth investigating!
You can follow the Goodnight Moon ASMR Instagram here, and check out various pieces of fan-art and inspiration!.
For more literary themed ASMR videos, check out this list: Tickle Your Brain with These Literary ASMR Role Plays.
Featured Image Via YouTube