Trying to setup VPN via Wireguard or OpenVPN

[birds-swim]

Hello.

Is this a question for Spiral Linux or is this a question for r/Debian on Reddit? I'll post there if the latter is true.

I'm trying to setup my Proton VPN manually either via Wireguard or OpenVPN. I've installed all the relevant packages for both. When I go into Gnome Settings > Network (I understand it uses Network Manager to do this?), I followed the instructions to get an OpenVPN config file from Proton and I setup the VPN. I am connected to ProtonVPN, however, something on my computer is by-passing my VPN settings in the Gnome Settings. I don't really understand networking on Linux quite yet, but it seemed as easy as downloading Proton's config file, handing it over to Network Manager, and then off to the races I go. But it hasn't been as straightforward as I had hoped.

Tried the same thing with Wireguard, but it complained I didn't have resolved.conf or something.

Am I gonna need to read the entire Network Manger manual for this? I'll do it if I must, but I'd rather not.