Depressing,
yet somehow optimistic. Typically
used when something bad has happened and a
pathetic attempt is made to be optimistic about it. It often leads to feeling more depressed.
This would be depressingly optimistic:
Someone you've had a crush on that you couldn't work up the nerve to talk to dies. Trying to be optimistic, you tell yourself, "Well, at least I don't have to
stress over trying to
ask her out.".
Depression sets in when you realize how much you wanted to try.