In the Face of War: The Impact of Our Choices

“No a la guerra” – A Personal Stand for Peace. No to war. It’s a beautiful message, but the fact that we need to say it is also sad. It should be a clear statement, a statement for all. So what does it really include?

When we talk about war, we can discuss a thousand different things, and I struggled to choose the topics I wanted to touch. War is a sensitive subject, and for most of us, it’s a distant concept we haven’t experienced. We don’t know what it’s like to live in a war zone or to lose friends, family, or even our country to the devastation of conflict. We can understand the concept of war, but we can’t truly know what it feels like to live in it.

From where we stand, it’s easy to view ourselves as separate from the reality of war. We think that it’s something happening to others, far away, and that our lives go on untouched. But have we stopped to ask ourselves how we contribute to the systems that perpetuate these wars? Do we realize that the brands we buy from, the companies we support with our hard-earned money, are directly tied to the very conflicts we say we oppose? We shop at stores whose profits fuel the wars we claim to despise. Every euro we spend without thought can be a small but significant contribution to the cycle of destruction. These companies can thrive because of us.

I’m not placing all the blame on individuals, but I believe we need to take a closer look at how global economics operate. In an ideal world, the systems that perpetuate war would not even exist. But in this world, we must recognize that the power to contribute to—or resist—these systems can lie in our hands, in the choices we make every day. The responsibility may feel heavy, but it’s partly ours to bear. Our money fuels their operations, and by continuing to support them, we are not asking them to change. In fact, we’re enabling them to keep going.

This isn't about guilt; it's about awareness. Individualism can often be framed as freedom, but it also carries with it the weight of choice. Our choices—what we buy, who we support, where we invest our time and money—matter. By choosing to live with intention, by aligning our actions with our values, we begin to break free from the cycle that enables war. Our individual actions, when combined, have the power to shift the course of history.

So, when we say “No to war,” it’s not just a message—it’s a personal commitment. It’s a reminder that we, as individuals, can refuse to be complicit in the very systems that create the conditions for war. We can demand more from ourselves and from the world around us. In the decision we make, we can stand in opposition to the destruction of life, to the degradation of human dignity, and to the normalization of violence.

No to war is a call to action, but it’s also a call for reflection. What will you choose today? Will you continue to stand on the sidelines, detached from the consequences of your choices, or will you recognize your role in creating a world where peace is possible? We have so much more power then we think, so, what will you choose to do?

Picture from Gabriella (@rinjaverso)