This is something that I feel has been kind of forgotten in a lot of people, but your story needs to breathe a bit. Filler is the writer's giving things time to settle and for actions previous taken in a story to settle and the reader to process what has happened. There are so many examples in movies, TV, games and books where the plot seems to just slow to an almost halt while the characters do something else. Harry and his friends still go to school and have classes, characters in D&D are given down time to do with as they please, Simba fucks off into the wild to live a carefree life, etc. 111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPwwyPzHqG
These scenes don't serve, mostly, to forward the plot and that is perfectly okay.
Not every scene needs to further the main plot because it allows the story to relax and breathe before continuing on to the main beat. Most of life is what I would classify as filler between major life moments like your first job, your first kiss, the death of a loved one, etc. Life should not be constant and quick jumps from major point to point so neither should your writing. Even if your setting takes place in the heart of a brutal war, take time for your character to muse on the things they've done, the horrors they've seen and the people they fight alongside. Let your work breathe and settle so that the important story beats seem to mean more and you can still use your filler in worthwhile ways.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHevRwlabCT
Fullmetal Alchemist has almost an entire episode devoted to Alphonse having some slight doubt of what Edward has told him about being his brother. If this was removed in favor of more plot points delving into the political undertones of the plot or their quest to find a way to return their limbs and mother, nothing would change. However, the scene allows us to see that a character began to doubt what he had been told and it is up to the people around him to prove that he is in fact who they say he is and that they care about him not just being a giant suit of armor. The scene doesn't further any of the plots, but instead lets us get to know a bit about the characters and some of their doubts.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGZuUnj6NJ
Long story short, filler is not boring and is necessary. Let your readers have a chance to relax and process your story before continuing to the next part, but remember to not do it too much. Everything in moderation and all that. 111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt0TRzZkK5
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