Crying over something small

You are very welcome 

Pretty much as NAS72221 stated ~ in terms of having to incorporate a new system of navigational and orientational behaviourisms into your daily living and working routine, it is not idiotic to be upset or distressed about this as an autistic person, but quite natural really given that our habitual-instinctual sensibilities are so much more an integral aspect of our lives than is normally the case for non-autistic people, who are usually more adept when it comes to change.

Perhaps as a reasonable adjustment ~ your employers might allow you to potentially come into work late so that you are under less or even no pressure to park and get in on time, so that you are more relaxed and better able to habitually incorporate the new logistical element of your daily working routine possibly?

I hadn't thought of it that way. Thank you for pointing that out. 

You don’t need to feel like an idiot, your feelings are very valid. Sudden changes are really scary, other people may perceive this situation as minor but don’t compare yourself to other people. Instead you  should value and recognise your needs as an autistic person. Your feelings are a result of the autistic detail focused processing style which is perfectly ok.

I have cried over spreadsheets too, and not even particularly complex ones! You are right about others not likely taking steps to protect us. I need to remember that.

M, there is nothing wrong with you, you certainly aren't stupid. I've cried before when I had to change a spreadsheet I used at work. My typical level of anxiety is severe, meaning that I like to have a certain amount of things the same. You are taking steps to protect yourself, which you should do, as it is unlikely that anyone else will.

Thank you. I am feeling a bit better about it, I just need to wait a little while and see what happens. 

I remember having a similar reaction when I found out the bus service to the place I worked at the time was being discontinued.  In reality, all I had to do was catch the train instead, which meant an extra 5 minutes' walk to the station but actually took time off the total journey.

If it's enough to make you cry, it's not something small and nothing to feel stupid about - even if other people do just shrug it off as a minor inconvenience.  We all have different tolerance levels to different things.

I hope the other permit - or another solution - works out for you.

sadly i cannot relate as i cant drive but in relation to transport i feel you as i use public transport too and fro work, in the morning and stuff when its not busy it is fine but at 3PM its usually packed, and then there are times when the bus doesnt turn up (one point i was late to wokr nearly an hour becuase 5 busses didnt turn up!)

driving is always a challenge, when roads are closed due to car crashes etc, then you have your horrible drivers who cause grief, its not fun at all, kudos to you for driving thiough! 

I feel like I need a lie down now. It has become a challenge thinking about driving anywhere since the pandemic, as I went so long without needing to drive much at all when we went into the first lockdown. 

That is understandable, hopefully something good comes from it, but sometimes its annoying when you get bothered by minor things, but a lot of the time it is justified, a change in routine is what you are use to, like for example when i stated christmas, the tree and flashing lights being in the corner and the change of the walking path is different and it bothers me because it doesnt feel right.

So please never feel like an idiot or anything, we all have our tolerances at what is an acceptable level

I work in a city centre so street parking is limited and unpredictable. 

I would rather park further away. The silly thing is that the other car park is probably nearer to where the office is, but I cannot process this change in routine to accept it. 

I have hopefully found a solution now by applying for another permit. I wish this didn't bother me as much as it does.

I can say wholeheartedly you are not an idiot or stupid, we all have things that are too much for us, i cry at anime and even things such as my family changing the house for Christmas decorations, it really gets to me, so i can understand, i know it will be tough, and im not sure where you work, but you could potentially park on a close by street if the car park you were directed to is a distance away, just as a interim and not to add on to your journey, alternitivley as NoUserName has said, it may help if you keep saying "its only until august" or even change it up on a positive spin if the car park isnt too far and is walking distance, if you own a phone that has a steps calculator or fit bit (other brands are available) you could even say to yourself "im getting extra steps in doing this" and this could provide a boost in physical and mental health due to the effects of exercise.

Sudden changes in routine can have a big effect, hopefully you can come to terms with it quickly and get into parking in the new space.  Make sure you keep telling yourself that it will revert back in the summer than hopefully the change back won't be so traumatic