Everyone starts somewhere, today you started here.

What is torrenting?

It's downloading what others share and sharing what you've downloaded. BitTorrent is a communications protocol and there are apps making use of it.

Install qBittorrent as your new torrent client:
https://www.qbittorrent.org/download.php
You can search for torrents within qbittorrent without ever having to open your web browser.
View > Search Engine > Search (In the top left) > Search plug-ins (In the bottom right) > Install/Enable all > Search for the torrent.
In client settings, lock it to only use the VPN connection for your privacy.
qBittorrent guide for Win, Linux, MacOS

How to get online in a secure way?
Choose a VPN with port-forwarding for best performance (otherwise just keep your VPN):
Recommended list Full list (neutral)
Change your computer's DNS to AdGuard, your ISPs DNS server might be blocking your ability to visit torrent sites.
In addition Adguard will block Ads for you.
Read this comprehensive guide to learn how to change your DNS server.
Change it to: 94.140.14.14 & 94.140.15.15

Do I need to get a VPN for torrenting?
Likely not, depending upon your country. But you definitely should.

Does a VPN make me completely anonymous?
No, there is no method to verify that your VPN provider is trustworthy and is unable to view your traffic.
Assuming that your VPN provider does encrypt your traffic, it will be hidden from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
This website shows you your fingerprint and how much identifiable data is being sent from your web browser to the websites you visit:
https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/

Do you live in a patent troll infested country and think "nah it'll be fine"?
Just GET A VPN: An economic calculation
If someone knows your public IP they can see what you download:
https://iknowwhatyoudownload.com/en/peer/

What server/country to connect to?
If there're "p2p-optimized" servers then use them. Otherwise only if you can tolerate the ping: Netherlands NL, Switzerland CH, Sweden SE. Anything that's not your country nor the home country of Digital Millenium Control Act is alright.

For a more in-depth guide than this one:
See a Beginner's Guide to Piracy