I actually use Vim like this, in fact I wrote a plugin to go all the way and make it a completely "normal" editor [1].
It's endlessly surprising to me that still to this day Vim is most commonly considered through the lens of its keybindings. It's sooo much more than that! It's a lightweight terminal editor with one of the largest, if not the largest ecosystems of pioneering extensions. It really shouldn't be weird that you'd want to take advantage of all that without having to submit to the religion of modal editing.
> having to submit to the religion of modal editing
ha but that is indeed why i'm here at all
As I look about in the temple of vim, I see dedicated believers of modal editing, they are the good ones.
I also see the heretics who are just here to take advantage of INSERT mode, the heathens who come to insult our ancient religion, and spies from church of emacs. I find their lack of faith disturbing.