Maybe I'm being a jerk?

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Awhile back I took an online course inspired by Dan Millman. In case you don't know of him - Millman was a gymnast and wrote many self help books including "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" which focuses on a positive mindset and the power of living in the moment. So - as I was taking this online course, there was usage of a message board offered for discussing the course. And I started corresponding with this man. We had the nicest discussions. Got along well. He wanted to start a relationship with me. But I held back. I've done 3 online relationships and it never ends well for me. Either they find someone they like better in person and drop me, or they aren't at all who they seemed to be online. So I told him that I will not do a long distance relationship, and he was alright with it. We could still be friends though. Well then he started pestering me for me phone number. To text me with. I hesitated. You see - I'm not the best texter. It has it's time and place. But I'm not the type to sit there and have a conversation all day over text. It makes me feel like I'm chained to the phone. So I explained this fact to him. Several times. He assured me that we would largely communicate by email as we had been, and that he only wanted to text "hi" occasionally. Well alright then. I gave him my number. And sure enough, he texted me good morning, which was nice. The following is close to how our communication went. Him: Good morning! Me Good morning, hope you are having a great day Him: It's sunny here and I have the day off Me: I have to work today so it'll hopefully be productive Him: I plan to run some errands today and get a walk in ... and with that I left to continue on my day. There was nothing urgent in his most recent response, so I thought he'd be cool until later when I wasn't trying to get things done. I was wrong. By noon I had something like this going on - on my phone. Him: I want to buy a XYZ and do ABC Him: Hello? Him: Hello? Him : Hellllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooo? Him: Are you busy? Him: Are you working? Him: Why won't you answer me? Him: Please answer me! What have I done wrong? Him: Have I offended you? Him: Is everything alright? Him: Where are you? Now, that's pretty scary considering it had only been a few hours. So I texted him back around noon. Me: Hi! No you haven't offended me. I've just been busy working and am grabbing a bite to eat. I can't chat now, as I will be back to work. Let's save more detailed conversation for emails, what do you think. Him: (instantly) Oh good. Good. You're not mad at me then. I'm out shopping now and then I have to go for groceries. Him: There's a sale on..... Him: Hello? Him: You're not replying? Him: Where are you? Him: Are you mad? .... etc. Well, - here's where I might be a b. Clinginess is a real turn off for me. For most of my life I've had to answer to my control freak dad. My life revolved around his every little desire for most of 30 something years. Since I've moved out it's better, true, yes, but I still find that my dad loves controlling me and breaking free is a constant struggle. So anything that even sort of reminds me of stuff like - *having to account for what I'm doing at all moments *immediate replies *canceling of plans so that his wants of my time are met *having to ask permission/get clearance to do things turns me off instantly. I think I emailed him once after that. And then I ignored him. It was just too much of turn off. However I will sit here and complain that I attract no one. I will sit and say how no one has any perseverance for me. And yet I rejected this man, who... even though it's been over a year since we've been in touch *still* sends me texts on occasion. (To which I don't reply) So. People say go with your instinct and my instinct was to avoid the instant cling-on behavior. But am I the one being a jerk? Have you ever had any experiences with a clingy person? Or setting boundaries? Photo: Pixabay