First 72 Hours Checklist (stabilize first, then plan)
When you’re in crisis, your brain will try to solve everything. Don’t. Your job is to stabilize the next 72 hours. 1) Pick the “main fire” (choose ONE) ☐ Housing (rent/eviction)☐ Utilities (heat/electric/water shutoff)☐ Food/essentials☐ Safety (DV/unsafe home)☐ Legal deadline (court/probation/notice)☐ Work/income (job at risk)☐ 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 “Crisis Log” (dates, names, what was said) 4) Make the “bare minimum” 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 1–2 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: “Hi ___. I’m dealing with an unexpected situation. I can do ___ by ___. I’m asking for a short extension or plan. Can you confirm in writing?” 6) Choose ONE next step (only one) Post it in the One Next Step thread: - “My one next step today is ___ at ___pm.” 7) What NOT to do in the first 72 hours - Don’t take on new fights, big decisions, or long explanations - Don’t ignore notices—respond briefly and get things in writing - Don’t 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.