Well, I'm probably the wrong person to ask, but, i'd suggest that you cut your hair.
I've been a 'wash and wear hair' girl since I was 20 - now 61. It's very rare that my hair gets past 4 inches long...it's just too much work! So I'd have a 'natural' head of hair in about 2 - 3 months.
I did let it grow out to about 10" about 5 years ago. It was a nice change, but the upkeep was a burden. My DH was relieved when I went back to my 'normal' look. Me, too!