First 72 Hours Checklist (stabilize first, then plan)
When youâre in crisis, your brain will try to solve everything. Donât. Your job is to stabilize the next 72 hours. 1) Pick the âmain fireâ (choose ONE) â Housing (rent/eviction)â Utilities (heat/electric/water shutoff)â Food/essentialsâ Safety (DV/unsafe home)â Legal deadline (court/probation/notice)â Work/income (job at risk)â Transportation (car broke/repo risk) 2) Write down the deadlines (no guessing) - Deadline #1: ___ (date/time) - Deadline #2: ___ (date/time) - Deadline #3: ___ (date/time) 3) Do the 30-minute reset (right now) - Drink water + eat something small - Charge your phone - Grab: ID, keys, important papers - Open a notes app and start a âCrisis Logâ (dates, names, what was said) 4) Make the âbare minimumâ plan (this week) Answer these: - Where am I sleeping safely tonight? - How am I getting food? - How am I getting to work/school? - What must be paid or negotiated first? 5) Make 1â2 key contacts today (keep it simple) Pick the most relevant: - Landlord/property manager - Utility company - Employer/HR - School/daycare - County assistance / 211 - Clinic/mental health support - Trusted family/friend Use this message: âHi ___. Iâm dealing with an unexpected situation. I can do ___ by ___. Iâm asking for a short extension or plan. Can you confirm in writing?â 6) Choose ONE next step (only one) Post it in the One Next Step thread: - âMy one next step today is ___ at ___pm.â 7) What NOT to do in the first 72 hours - Donât take on new fights, big decisions, or long explanations - Donât ignore noticesârespond briefly and get things in writing - Donât try to fix credit, reputation, and relationships all at once Stabilize first. If you need help right now, post your Crisis Snapshot in Crisis Triage and say what deadline is coming up.