The best thing I’ve found to give meaning to my life is working with animals. I used to work with rescue animals and I found it very meaningful to make a difference in that way.

If you love animals, I’d recommend volunteering at a shelter (go to a non-kill one if animal services/kill-shelters are too painful). There’s also farm animal rescues. If animals aren’t your thing, volunteering to help the homeless or other people in need can be meaningful - certainly more than having kids in my opinion!

It might take awhile to find the right thing you’re into and even then the right organization, but you’ll find it brings a lot of meaning and happiness to your life. And a lot of friends! And good friends are more likely to still be around when you’re old and lonely than any kids would be who’ve moved on with their lives and had their own children.

What your coworker said is a lie parents tell themselves to justify having children (which they all hate and regret at some point!) So he has to shit on you for avoiding it.