Having kids with a 2.5ish year age gap

I want to start trying for another baby within the next 2 months. My toddler is 20 months old and hopefully if I do successfully get pregnant before the year is over, my toddler will be right at 2.5 years old by the time the baby would be due. My family and some friends are telling me that’s too close of an age gap and that I will regret not waiting a little longer to have another because of how hard it will be. It’s kinda discouraging being told that all the time but what is it HONESTLY like having that age gap or close to it?