I was going the childfree route for a while. A long while. Like a lot of guys here, I knew all the hazards of the modern relationship, the deck was so obviously stacked against men it seemed foolish to go down that route, so I just focused on being independent, partying, traveling, and f*cking like a libertine. I did that for basically a decade straight. I was very good at. If I had an instagram, a lot of people would be very jealous of the life I lived.
And, at base, the theory is still correct. Now more than ever, in fact, relationships are a minefield and culture and the state are actively working against men and the health of society at large, so why not just focus on yourself?
But, a family and community seem like the only real transcendent, long-term source of meaning one is likely to find in this world. It being hard and risky makes it all the more rewarding. It seems to me you can, even, take a strictly rational, selfish look at it and still come to the same conclusion, because you will (potentially) be happiest when you have accomplished what is hard and took lots of work.
You've retired at 38, great for you, but you have probably another four decades of life ahead of you - are hobbies and travel really going to be fulfilling for that entire time? Long after culture has moved on from you, especially?