Hair DONT ever, ever, ever

As i go on my journey of this "natural hair state" i make my share of mistakes.Even being completely natural for 7 months and going through the process (transitioning) for 2 years this coming March i still make mistakes. my latest one. Washing my hair and sticking it into a ponytail with no product. When i took the ponytail out it was so brittle and dry, it felt like something i can clean my stuck-on pots with.... lets just say it wasnt good!