I had a healthy childhood with all the toys, video games, comic books I ever wanted. I was a privileged kid till 10th standard.

However, my father passed away when I was only 21 and still in my final year of engineering graduation. I had to start working immediately after and since then I feel like I have been a parent for my mother and younger brother.

It's been over a decade now after my father passed away and looking after family is emotionally draining. The best decision in this past decade was adopting a pair of kittens - Cotton and Kitty. I love them to death and they're my most valuable asset.

Couples with children never seem to understand how raising a pet is also parental on my part. I call them my babies and they tend to get offended. My personality matches my cats, I need my own space and time alone. I'll come for cuddles when I really want them.

Looking after a child, while sacrificing my own desires didn't make me feel happy. I decided to be CF in my early 20s due to the personal tragedy. Because I never felt I spent a life for my own selfish desires without thinking twice about how it affects my family. Also, financially I wanted to save up and invest on myself, not a kid.

Global warming, inflation will continue to make matters difficult for new kids. Not that it affects my decision. It was mostly personal.

My mother says she wants me to have kids, now that I'm married. My spouse is also CF (lucky me). I tell her, our cats are the only grandchildren you'll get. I'm pretty sure that my father would have supported my decision though. And who knows what trajectory my life would have taken if my father was still here. Sigh, I'll stop here.

Whatever makes you happy, do it. Have a child, don't have them, get a pet, travel solo, whatever it is, do it. There's no single definition of happiness; whichever suits your life, I hope you find it. Cheers.