great post @chbartist
I agree that vulnerability is not a weakness, and that everything is in the interpretation of the word. Being vulnerable is pretty much any time you decide to do or say something that is outside what either yourself or other people expect of you.
If we do or say something that is already part of our excepted persona in the world - it fits in with what others expect from you which they have put together in their minds from their past experiences of you.

When you do or say something that is out of your 'usual', then you are nit sure how others are going to react because they are not expecting it.
So this decision to step outside the status quo, the usual, and the expected is a place of not knowing how the world around you is going to react. You are vulnerable to all possibilities of negative and positive responses.

But if you don't do this then you are not growing as a person - you are just staying the same, not seeking out newness in your life or the world around you. So being vulnerable is actual being brave, because despite the fear of judgement, you have done it anyway.

This is indeed an exploration of the self and the world around you and an integral part of individual growth.

And as more people rise above the fear and step into a place of vulnerability, it's almost like it gives permission for more people to do the same. Then when lots of people are exploring more of themselves and more of the world we can surely create a world full of adventure and awareness enough for judgement to fade away.

Although judgement is a whole other post isn't it!

I am brand new to Steemit. I look forward to reading more of your content : )