The 1999 Effect: Prince's Time Hack for Better Living

I was 19, and Y2K was on the horizon.

Headlines warned of a digital apocalypse, but I was too busy living to care. Ignorance is bliss.

Back then, the song "1999" was just another Prince banger in my playlist. I didn't know that he wrote it in 1982—after watching a Nostradamus documentary predicting the world would end in 1999! Well, he took it to heart, and that one night, one documentary, created the one song that would become a three-decade anthem.

If you don’t know who Prince is, here’s an excerpt from Wikipedia: Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation.

You can research the rest.

I’ll be honest: it took a pandemic for the wisdom to hit.

Remember those early Covid days? When "see you later" stopped being casual goodbyes and became “see you later?”— a massive question mark at the end—and a hope that we could see each other.

Family meetups, friend catchups, and real-life coffee sessions became memories and not habits.

That's when I understood what Prince was saying.

Party when you can. Because one day, you can’t.

It’s not like Covid was the only wtf event that’s happened on this rock. Every generation has its own "1999." It’s that moment when the future feels precarious and forces us to question everything:

• Wars

• Y2K

• Covid

• Everything happening in the world right now (fine, I’m being dramatic)

But look closer, and you'll see something remarkable: these moments of collective uncertainty often lead to our clearest thinking.

Want proof? Watch what happens in crisis:

• We stop postponing joy

• We reach out to old friends

• We take those risks we've been avoiding

• We choose authenticity over appearance

But can this be done without a crisis? I’m glad you asked...

So I have a framework—well, it’s more a question that you ask yourself. But it helps you rejig your priorities and align yourself to the things that matter.

The Last Day Test is an absolute forcing function. And the answers are almost always the same:

• Friends

• Family

• That one conversation you've been putting off

• The person you need to forgive

• The risk you need to take

But the test gets interesting here: It's not about dropping everything and going full YOLO. It's about percentages.

If family and friends are your Last Day priority, what percentage of your current life reflects that? If meaningful conversations matter most, why are they getting your leftover time?

Prince understood this in 1982; we recognized it during Y2K and once more in 2020. This song, which made it to the U.S. Top 40 across three decades, illustrates a timeless truth that transcends its catchy rhythms.

Wisdom isn't about preparing for endings. It's in living before they come.

Not in a reckless way.

Not in a panicked way.

But in an alive way.

Your emails can wait. Friends, family, and dinner together can’t.

Party like it's 1999. Not because the world is ending.

But because you're here right now.

Some of you might say he was excessive; I think he was intentional and purposeful.

Can we all be Prince? Nah. But we can all make every moment count.

So, reflect on your Last Day priorities and see how you can bring more of that energy into your everyday experience.

Channel your inner Prince and ask yourself:

• What creative risks can I take today? Everyone’s creative, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

• How can I be more present and generous with others?

• What small act of kindness can I perform?

• How can I use my unique gifts to make a difference?

Then, create your reason to celebrate—not because the world is ending but because you're making the most of the time you have.

My friends, that's the kind of party that never has to end.

—Parves