We appear to have a similar affliction. I’m let down terribly by a lack of expertise, and so take a best alternative in most cases. My VPN is Mullvad. I’m due renewal in the next 2 months so will be pondering simple renewal vs switching to ProtonVPN. The purity of Mullvad privacy is wasted on me as the only real difference appears to be the option to pay by bitcoin or cash. Proton appears to have more options and less likely to be blocked if you go away on holiday etc.