Vulnerability is popular, every human being feels vulnerable in some ways. So it should not suck your vitality. But vulnerability is objective to all of us, sometime the things that we fear that should not come to light are not that big deal to people us we feared. It is funny that you fear people who are also vulnerable just like you.
Admit your vulnerability but Look for ways to share all the positive things you have could be your talents, skills, education, personality etc than trying to protect yourself. Too much of self protection of your vulnerability will reveal another weakness in you, and you will be worse person people to be around you. Life sometime needs us to be carefree. If you try to control too much your life, your life will turn into a misery.