April Story is perhaps the foundational “slice of life” film. Next to nothing of importance happens during this little 67 minute jaunt through the life of an introverted Japanese university freshman.

It’s simply a trip through life’s minor little experiences and difficulties: introducing yourself to classmates, trying a new club, facing an unrequited love, having a weirdo sit next to you at the movies, trying to listen to a concert in the courtyard, making and trying to share dinner, packing too much stuff, getting lost on the way to a store…

We are made up of these tiny little moments. The curries we eat alone. The meandering phone calls with mom. The movies we go to see alone. The books we read to remind us of our crushes. The records we listen to. The clothes we pick out.

It’s all the things that make every day a day. The difficulties and little joys. Because what makes up most of our days isn’t life-changing moments that set the course of our life. And in fact, in many cases, you won’t have those life-changing moments without building a foundation of little, seemingly meaningless moments to lead you to the meaningful ones.