How does summer smell to you? For some people, it’s pollen trees in full bloom, a smell that’s accompanied by the sound of sneezing. For others, it’s steaks on the grill, and the suntan oil you apply before heading to the nearest public pool. It’s many things to many people, but one thing it shouldn’t be is cigarette smoke. The smell of food on the grill is appetizing, but cigarette smoke just smells of toxic chemicals, with a whiff of desperation. Don’t let your house carry that odor this summer. The warm summer months are a great time to quit smoking. While you’re at it, you can work on a few home projects, too.

Ditch the Tobacco

First of all, the decision to stop smoking is a great one to make, for your health’s sake. Smoking cigarettes shortens your lifespan by several years. One study found that quitting by age 40 reduces the “excess risk of death” by around 90 percent. Don’t despair if you’re over 40, though; you’ll still start experiencing better health just hours after you smoke your final cigarette. There’s a rumor that says if we’ve been doing something for a long time, we must keep doing it. That’s known as the “sunk-cost fallacy”, and it’s helped many people stay in bad jobs and awful relationships. Rest assured that, for cigarette smokers, their relationship to the pack of smokes in their jacket counts as both unhealthy and co-dependent.

It may take several attempts before you can quit tobacco and make the decision stick. That’s normal. It’s not an excuse to stop trying, but don’t beat yourself up if it happens. There are as many ways to quit smoking as there are brands of cigarettes for sale; do some research and find a solution that works for you. For some people, that means going to the doctor and getting a prescription. For others, it involves replacing traditional cigarettes with an ecigarette that uses eliquid. Keep an open mind while you find a workable solution. Don’t feel like you must quit cold turkey, either. Cold turkey is a tough way to quit, and there’s a reason it doesn’t work for most people who try.

Decorate your home

Once you’ve gone a while without smoking, you’ll notice that the air fresheners you used to cover up the smell of cigarette smoke don’t have much to cover anymore. The smell of smoke lingers for some time; however, you can still celebrate your commitment to cleaner living by adding a few new touches to your home’s decor. If it smells better, why shouldn’t it also look better? Dig up your best photographs, and make those wonderful memories into canvas prints that can hang on your wall. Once you have a few photos scattered around your house, check out your area’s art galleries, and find some up-and-coming local artists worth supporting. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone else; if you like a piece, buy it, and hang it on your wall. You’re the only one who has to like it. It’s nice if guests do, as well, but it’s not mandatory.