Does anyone else struggle with sticking to a routine?

Yes I did the same as well

Yeah i get that, sounds like executive dysfunction. For me it's because I'm autistic and can't handle processing additional stimuli i wasn't expecting and get overwhelmed. My wife has adhd as well as autism, i think for them it's also that if the plan isn't followed they get distracted by other things

i feel the same way. if my routine gets messed up or plans cancel last minute then i’m sent into a spiral cause the night before i had mentally prepared for how i’ll do everything throughout the day

Absolutely. I plan and research a lot, before heading out or starting a project.

Yep. For me it's because it helps lessen anxiety when I know step by step what's happening at any given moment. Because I've prepared in my mind everything that could happen at each step..so when plans change..that means I have to totally rethink everything.

I think that's a fairly normal thing in the general population and especially in the neurodiverse population, black and white or all/nothing thinking. It's important to recognize the cognitive distortions, while validating how it leads one to feel. Having that knowledge though can allow you to work to shift that thinking to one on more of a continuum. It's cool to look at wise mind activities (from DBT). As mentioned I relate to this. I usually get frustrated with goals, so reframing it as directions and not making it so specific has helped me (especially with new years resolutions. ex. I had one to work on self-criticism one year and envisioning more possibilities for me (like others saw for me), or this year's focusing on healing emotional baggage.