Saturday, June 21, 2025

A Day in My Life as a Remote Software Engineer and Gamer


Introduction

Hey everyone, welcome to my vlog! I’m Alfaiz Ansari, a 21-year-old cybersecurity expert and passionate gamer living in the vibrant city of Mumbai. By day, I’m a remote software engineer; by night, I’m battling it out in virtual worlds. With 12k followers on Instagram (@alfaiznova), I’m excited to share a day in my life, blending code, gaming, and the hustle of chasing my dreams. Let’s dive in!

Morning Routine

My day starts at 7:30 a.m. with the Mumbai sunrise peeking through my window. I kick things off with a quick stretch and a strong cup of masala chai—my fuel for focus. Breakfast is simple: paratha with curd, keeping me energized. By 8:00 a.m., I’m at my desk, setting up my dual-monitor rig with Visual Studio Code and Notion for task tracking. I check Slack for updates from my team and review my to-do list, prioritizing cybersecurity tasks like vulnerability assessments. Mornings are sacred for deep work, so I put on lo-fi music to stay in the zone.

Work Description

As a cybersecurity engineer, my workday revolves around securing applications for a global tech firm. From 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., I’m immersed in penetration testing, using tools like Burp Suite and Metasploit to identify system weaknesses. Today, I tackled a SQL injection flaw in a client’s web app, which required creative problem-solving to patch securely. Challenges like debugging under tight deadlines keep me sharp, but overcoming them feels rewarding. Around noon, I take a 15-minute break to play a quick match of bgmi—my go-to game for a mental reset. Balancing coding and gaming keeps my creativity flowing.

Afternoon Activities

By 1:30 p.m., I break for lunch—usually dal-chawal or a quick biryani from a local spot. Post-lunch, I squeeze in a 20-minute walk around my neighborhood to clear my mind. Mumbai’s bustling streets inspire me, and I often brainstorm blog ideas for my tech-focused Instagram. Back at my desk by 2:30 p.m., I shift to code reviews or client meetings via Zoom. If time permits, I experiment with a personal project, like building a Python script to automate security scans, blending work and learning.

Evening Routine

Work wraps up around 6:00 p.m., and I unwind with a gaming session. Tonight, I’m grinding in PUBG MOBILE, tackling side quests to improve my skills. Gaming isn’t just fun—it sharpens my strategic thinking, which translates to problem-solving at work. Around 8:00 p.m., I grab dinner with roommates, catching up over home-cooked pav bhaji. Before bed, I spend an hour on my side hustle: creating cybersecurity tips for my Instagram followers, responding to DMs, and planning content to inspire aspiring techies.

Motivational Conclusion

Today taught me that discipline and passion can coexist. Balancing a demanding job, gaming, and content creation isn’t easy, but setting small goals—like fixing one bug or gaining 10 followers—keeps me motivated. To anyone chasing their dreams: embrace challenges, stay curious, and find joy in the grind. Follow me on Instagram (@alfaiznova) for more tech and gaming insights, and let’s keep pushing forward!