ASMR…

If you clicked on this blog post because you already knew what this was – Hi!

For everyone else this weird initialism might conjure one of two thoughts. The first; this sounds familiar, or the second; What?

I have to be honest; the only reason I stumbled onto this subculture [I’d call it Internet Subculture but I’m sure it predates the internet, it just didn’t have a name] is because I spend way too much time on Youtube and, for a while, W Magazine posted videos of celebrities ‘doing’ ASMR.

So, what is it? I’m going to be boring and give you the Wiki definition:

“…a term used for an experience characterised 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….signifies the subjective experience of “low-grade euphoria” characterised by “a combination of positive feelings and a distinct static-like tingling sensation on the skin”. It is most commonly triggered by specific acoustic, visual and digital media stimuli, and less commonly by intentional attentional control.”

Source.

To try to put that into ‘normal’ words; do you ever get that nice shiver down your spine when someone tickles your neck, plays with your hair, or speaks to you in a soft voice? How about when you listen to rain? Or is there another sound that gives you goosebumps? [I’m talking weird stuff like crinkly paper or that dull scratch of someone using a nail file…]

That, in effect, is ASMR. Kind of like an audible way of mindful relaxation. I’d liken it to meditation, for sure.

The reason I’m even writing this blog post is because I don’t feel it. That’s not to say I’ve never felt it because I know I have – my trigger is a little strange and it’s usually when someone is helping me with something in a gentle, caring way [I don’t know why?!] – but I have started watching videos for ASMR and listening to a variety of tracks on Spotify to chase down that feeling of relaxation just for fun. Like an odd treasure hunt which is becoming a little bit obsessive. I can almost feel it listening to some videos/tracks, but have yet to reach full on tingle stage.

Despite never quite shivering my timbers I’m still finding myself listening to waves/rainfall/thunder ASMR tracks a lot – which I’d always recommend anyway – but, I don’t know, if you want to see if this affects you here are a few videos I like for the fun and relaxing elements. Who knows, they might trigger your senses!

I’ll also make a playlist on Spotify if anyone is interested in subscribing to it!

I appreciate this post is a little ‘unusual’ but meh. I’m a little unusual, so… until next time!

Sam